Hollo, Anselm: dedication: from novalis

the scribe is writing
indefatigably

casting now and again
only a sullen glance
at the children

scowling grimly
while handing the pages
to a noble
goddess-like woman

who stands leaning
against an altar

upon which rests
a dark vessel with clear water

she dips the pages
into this water

& when, upon drawing them forth
she sees that some of the writing
has held fast
she gives that page back to the scribe

who then binds it
in a great book

but often seems peevish
when his efforts prove vain
& everything has been obliterated