Originally all rules and teachings of spiritual science were expressed in a symbolical sign-language, some understanding of which must be acquired before its whole meaning and scope can be realized. –R.Steiner 

Stare at the lattice-work

of iron roses.

Beat the poor table and hold up

your opaque hands.

As someone else’s, what hands meant

loaded above the piano

the very image of time

that was yours.

Remembering is someone else

someone else hands tell you

the way I unfold into them

released by all their learning

of fire and the first days of things.

What could it mean

but the familiar fire 

clouded into iron

a cadmia of rose.

Pound the table of this

be iron

until the rose falls out.