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As It Was

I saw it for what it was,
After so long a mosaic surprise.
Hidden like the forgotten key
Under the flower-pot.
What it adds
And what is gained
Cannot be lost.
There is no pretending
That what is seen
Is not seen; No,
That will not do.

Say what we see;
What is before us?
Yes, us.
Shall we not study it together?
If not,
Then we ourselves
Must cease.
But we may not ignore beauty,
And we may not lie.
As for me,
I saw the glory in the picture.
I saw that you saw.
And I will not go back.

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