Peering In/Looking Through

I thought I was growing wings—
it was a cocoon.

I thought, now is the time to step   
into the fire—
it was deep water.

Eschatology is a word I learned
as a child: the study of Last Things;

facing my mirror—no longer young,
       the news—always of death,
       the dogs—rising from sleep and clamoring   
            and howling, howling,

nevertheless
I see for a moment   
that's not it: it is   
the First Things.

Word after word
floats through the glass.   
Towards me.

Seeing for a Moment, by Denise Levertov