To Eros

To Eros is a poem written by Wilfred Owen.

In that I loved you, Love, I worshipped you;

In that I worshipped well, I sacrificed. All of most worth I bound and burnt and slew: The innocent small things, fair friends and Christ.

I slew all falser loves, I slew all true, For truth is the prime lie men tell a boy. Glory I cast away, as bridegrooms do Their splendid garments in their haste of joy.

But when I fell and held your sandalled feet, You laughed; you loosed away my lips; you rose. I heard the singing of your wings' retreat; And watched you, far-flown, flush the Olympian snows, Beyond my hoping. Starkly I returned To stare upon the ash of all I burned.