IT MUST BE ABSTARCT

I am the spouse. She took her necklace off
And laid it in the sand. As I am
The spouse. She opened her stone-studded belt.

I am the spouse, divested of bright gold,
The spouse beyond emerald or amethyst,
Beyond the burning body that I bear.

I am the woman stripped more nakedly
Than nakedness, standing before an inflexible
Order, saying I am the conteplated spouse.

Speak to me that, which spoken, will arrary me
In its own only precious ornament.
Set on me the spirit's diamond coronal.

Clothe me entire in the final filament,
So that I tremble with such love so known
And myself am precious for your perfecting.

             Wallace Stevens (1879-1955)