Copper Sun (Cullen)/In Memoriam

by Countee Cullen

For works with similar titles, see In Memoriam.

In Memoriam

You were the path I had to take
To find that all
That lay behind its loops and bends
 Was a bare blank wall.

You were the way my curious hands
 Were doomed to learn
That fire, lovely to the sight,
 To the touch will burn.

That yours was no slight rôle, my dear,
 Be well content;
Not everyone is blessed to be
 Wisdom’s instrument.