EDWARDJ。O’BRIEN
SONG
FROM\"FLESH:AGEOGORIANODE\"
EBBonwithmeacrossthesunsettideAndfloatbeyondthewatersoftheworld,Thelightofeveningslippingfrommyside,Thysoftenedvoiceinwavesofsilencefurled。
Flowonintotheflamingmorningwine,Drowningthelandincolor。ThenonhighRiseinthycandidinnocenceandshineLiketoapoplarstraightagainstthesky。
EDWARDJ。O’BRIEN
INMEMORIAM:FRANCISLEDWIDGE
(Killedinaction,July31,1917)
SOLDIERandsingerofErin,WhatmayIfashionforthee?
Whatgarlandofwordsorofflowers?
Singerofsunlightandshowers,Thewindonthelea;
Ofclouds,andthehousesofErin,Weecabins,whiteontheplain,Andbrightwiththecoloursofeven,BeautyofearthandofheavenfallsOutspreadbeyondSlane!
nightthroughletmymindbestill,Slane,wheretheEasterofPatrickFlamedonthenightoftheGael,GuardboththehonorandstoryOfhimwhohasdiedforthegloryThatcrownsInnisfail。
Soldierofrightandoffreedom,Ioffertheesongandhottears。
WithBrian,andRedHughO’Donnell,ThechiefsofTyroneandTryconnell,Liveonthroughtheyears!
NORREYSJEPHSONO’CONOR
EVENSONG
ASHEPHERDpiping,heraldoftheNightWhocomeswithSilenceupthecolouredvale,Treadinglowgently,cladingreyishwhite,Poignantlypiping,soundyourreedywail!
ForDaydepartedmovesinfuneraltrainTendedbyTwilightand,indeepestrose,ThesplendidSunsetmeltsbeneaththemainWhilesweettheSea—windwithcoolsoftnessblows。
AswhenamothergatherstoherbreastThechildwhofretsforDad’srememberedsmart,NowLightfadesquicklyintheashenwest,AndNight—Peacefallsacrossmytroubledheart。
Flutes,forthenightthroughletmymindbestill,AndGodkeepsafewithHimmystubbornwill!
NORREYSJEPHSONO’CONOR
THEPROPHET
ALLdaylonghekeptthesheep:——
Farandearly,fromthecrowd,Onthehillsfromsteeptosteep,Wherethesilencecriedaloud;
AndtheshadowofthecloudWrapthiminanoondaysleep。
Wherehedippedthewater’scool,Fillingboyishhandsfromthence,SomethingbreathedacrossthepoolStirofsweetenlightenments;
Andhedrank,withthirstysense,Tillhisheartwasbrimmedandfull。
Still,thehoveringVoiceunshed,AndtheVisionunbeheld,Andthemuteskyoverhead,Andhislonging,stillwithheld!
——Evenwhenthetwotearswelled,Salt,uponthatlonelybread。
Vaguelyblessedintheleaves,Dim—companionedinthesun,Eagermornings,wistfuleyes,Veryhungerdrewhimon;
AndTo—morrowevershoneWiththeglowthesunsetweaves。
Evenso,tothatyoungheart,WordsandhandsandMenweredear;
AndthestiroflaneandmartAfterdaylongvigilhere。
Sunsetcalled,andhedrewnear,Stilltofindhispathapart。
WhentheBell,withgentletongue,Calledtheherd—bellshomeagain,Throughthepurpleshadesheswung,Downthemountain,throughtheglen;
Towardsthesoundoffellow—men,—
Evenfromthelightthatclung。
Dimlytoo,ascloudoncloud,Camethatsilentflockofhis:
Throngingwhiteness,inacrowd,Afterhomingtwosandthrees;
WiththelongingmemoriesOfallwhitethingsdreamedandvowed。
Throughthefragrances,alone,Bythesudden—silentbrook,>Fromtheopenworldunknown,Tothecloseofspeechandbook;
TheretofindtheforeignlookInthefacesofhisown。
Sharingwasbeyondhisskill;
Shylyyet,hemadeessay:
Soughttodip,andshare,andfillHeart’s—desire,fromdaytoday。
Buttheireyes,someforeignway,Lookedathim;andhewasstill。
Last,hereachedhisarmstosleep,WheretheVisionwaited,dim,Stillbeyondsomedeep—on—deep。
Andthedarknessfoldedhim,Eagerheartandwearylimb。——
Alldaylong,hekeptthesheep。
JOSEPHINEPRESTONPEABODY
HARVEST—MOON:1914
OVERthetwilightfield,Theoverflowingfield,——
Overtheglimmeringfield,AndbleedingfurrowswiththeirsoddenyieldOfsheavesthatstilldidwrithe,Afterthescythe;
TheteemingfieldanddarklyoverstrewnWithallthegarneredfulnessofthatnoon——
Twolookeduponeachother。
OnewasaWomanmencalledtheirmother;
Andone,theHarvest—Moon。
Andone,theHarvest—Moon,Whostood,whogazedOnthoseunquietgleaningswheretheybled;
TilltheloneWomansaid:
\"Butwewerecrazed……
Weshouldlaughnowtogether,Iandyou,Wetwo。
You,foryourdreamingitwasworthAstar’swhiletolookonandlighttheEarth;
AndI,forevertellingtomymind,Gloryitwas,andgladness,togivebirthTohumankind!
Yes,I,thateverthoughtitnotamissTogivethebreathtomen,Formentoslayagain:
LordingitoveranguishbuttogiveMylifethatmenmightliveForthis。
Youwillbelaughingnow,rememberingIcalledyouonceDeadWorld,andbarrenthing,Yes,sowenamedyouthen,You,farmorewiseThantogivelifetomen。\"
Overthefield,thatthereGavebacktheskiesAshatteredupwardstare>Fromblankwhiteeyes,——
Strivingawhile,throughmanyableedingduneOfthrobbingclay,butdumbandquietsoon,Shelooked;andwentherway——
TheHarvest—Moon。
JOSEPHINEPRESTONPEAODY
HORSEMANSPRINGING
FROMTHEDARK:ADREAM
\"HORSEMAN,springingfromthedark,Horseman,flyingwildandfree,TellmewhatshallbethyroadWhitherspeedestfarfromme?\"
\"Fromthedarkintothelight,>Fromthesmalluntothegreat,>FromthevalleysdarkIrideO’erthehillstoconquerfate!\"
\"Takemewiththee,horsemanmine!
Letmemadlyrodewiththee!\"
AsheturnedImethiseyes,Myownsoullookedbackatme!
LILLACABOTPERRY
THREEQUATRAINS
THECUP
SHEsaid,\"Lifthighthecup!\"
Ofherarm’swearinessshegavenosign,But,smiling,raiseditupThatnonemightseeorguessitheldnowine。
FORGIVEMENOT!
FORGIVEmenot!HatemeandIshallknowSomeofLove’sfirestillburnswithinyourbreast!
Forgivenessfindsitshomeinheartsatrest,Ondeadvolcanoesonlyliesthesnow。
THEROSE
ONEdeepredroseIdroppedintohisgrave,Sosmallathingtogivesogreatafriend!
YetwellheknewitwasmyheartIgaveAndmustfareonwithoutittotheend,LILLACABOTPERRY
AVALENTINE,UNSENT
STAY,flamingrose,’twouldgrieveherheartToseeyoufadeaway,Unloved,unwelcomeandapart>Fromeveryjoyto—day。
Oncelongagoyourtalewasnew,Daysdistantyetsodear;
Whysayherloverstillistrue,Whenthatisallherfear?
Whythusrecallanother’spain,Hertenderhearttofret?
Bestletherthinkhelovesagain,Whonevercanforget!
MARGARETPERRY
SHIPBUILDERS
THEGermanpeoplerearedthemAnidolmadeofwood;
AndHindenburgbeforethemLifelikeandstupidstood。
ToclothehimallinironAndthushissoulexpress,WithnailsandspikestheycoveredHiswoodennakedness。
Andwhenthey,thushadclothedhimAllinasuitofmail,Stillcamethey,wild—eyed,lookingForspacetodriveanail。
WheneverTeutonairmenSlayboysandgirlsatplay,OrU—boats,drowningbabies,Createaholiday。
Then,gatheringroundtheirstatue,AhappyGermanthrongDrivenailsintotheidolTomakehimstillmorestrong。
Avengethebabes,shipbuilders,Thatontheseashavedied;
AvengethelittlechildrenMurderedforWilhelm’spride。
Come,gatherattheshipyards,Andletyourhammersring,FormorethanshipsandcargoesWaitsonyourfashioning。
Come,gatherattheshipyards;
WitheveryboltyoudriveBethinkyou`tistheKaiserWhosebrutishheadyourive。
Come,gatherattheshipyards,Andswingwithmightandmain;
`TisTirpitzandtheCrownPrinceThatyouto—dayhaveslain。
Come,gatherattheshipyards,Andheatthemetalhot,ForitisBethmannHollwegYou’reboilinginthepot。
Come,gatherattheshipyards,——
Andwhenthedayisdone,You’vespentitindrivingspikes,InHindernburgtheHun。
Come,gatherattheshipyards,Andtoilwithhealthyhate,Foronlyyoucansavetheworld,TheHunisatthegate。
ARTHURSTANWOODPIE
UNFADINGPICTURES
(\"Theairfromtheseacameblowinginagain,mixedwiththeperfumeoftheflowers……
Theold—fashionedfurniturebrightlyrubbedandpol—
ished,myaunt’sinviolablechairandtablebytheroundgreenfaninthebow—window,thedrugget—
coveredcarpet,thecat,thekettle—holder,thetwocanaries,theoldchina……and,wonderfullyoutofkeepingwiththerest,mydustyselfuponthesofa,takingnoteofeverything。\"
—\"DavidCopperfield,\"ChapterXIII。)
HOWmanyarethesceneshelimned,Withartiststrokes,clear—cutandfree—
OurDickens;timeshallnoteffaceTheircharm,andtheywillevergraceThehallsofmemory。
Oftandagainweturntothem,Tocontemplateinpleasedreview;
AndlikesomepictureonthescreenComesnowtomindafavoritesceneHismaster—pencildrew:—
Uponasofa,stretchedinsleep,Iseeasmalllad,spentandworn,Andbythewindow,sternandgrim,Asilentfigurewatchinghim,Sodusty,ragged,torn。
Ah,nowsherisesfrombehindTheroundgreenfanbesideherchair;
\"Poorfellow!\"croons—andpitylendsHervoicenewsoftness—andshebendsAndbrushesbackhishair。
Theninhissleephesoftlystirs。
Wasthatadream,thesemurmuredwords?
Hewakes!TherebythecasementsatMissTrotwoodstill;closeby,hercatAndhercanarybirds。
Thepeacefulcalmofthatquaintroom,Itsmarksofcomforteverywhere——
OldchinaandmahoganyAndblowingin,freshfromthesea,Theperfume—ladenair。
Poorlittlepilgrimsobereft,Sowearyathisjourney’send!
WhatjoymustthenhavefilledhissoulToreachatlastsuchhappygoal—
Tofind——oh,suchafriend!……
Andthennightcame,andfromhisbedHesawthesea,moonlitandbright,Anddreamedtherecame,toblessherson,Hismother,withherlittleone,Adownthatpathoflight。
Ah,greaterblessingI’dnotcrave,Whenmylife’spilgrimageiso’er,Thansuchrepose,content,andlove;
SomeshiningpaththatleadsaboveTodearonesgonebefore!
LOUELLAC。POOLE
WITHWAVESANDWINGS
WAVESandWingsandGrowingThings!
AsthroughthegladdensightyeflowAndflitandglow,YewinmesoInsoultogo,Itooamwaves,Itooamwings,Andkindredmotioninmesprings。
WiththeeIpass,gladgrowinggrass!—
Iclimbtheairwithlissomemien;
UnsheathingkeenThevividsheenOfspringinggreen,Ithrillthecrude,exaltthecrassFine—flex’dandfluentfromEarth’smass。
Andimpulsecraveswiththee,SeaWaves!—
TomakeallmutablethefloorOfEarth’sfirmshore,WithflashingpourWhosebrimmingo’erImpassion’dmotionlovesandlavesAndlivenssombreslumberingcaves。
Thensoaringwherethewildbirdsfare,MysongwouldsweepthewindylyreOfHeaven’schoir,PulsingdesireForstarryfire,AbashingchillingvaguesofairWiththrobbingofwarmbreaststhatdare!
CHARLOTTEPORTER
BLUEBERRIES
UPONthehillsofGarlingtownBeneaththesummersky,InmanypleasantpasturesOnsunnyslopesandhigh,Theirskinsabloomwithdustyblue,Asleep,theberrieslie。
AndalltheladsofGarlingtown,Andallthelassestoo,Stillclimbthetranquilhillsides,Amerry,barefootcrew;
StillhomewardplodwithunfilledpailsAndmouthsofberryblue。
AndallthebirdsofGarlingtown,Whenflockingbacktonest,RememberwellthepatchesWhereberriesarethebest;
TheypicktheripestonesatdawnAndleavetheladstherest。
UponthehillsofGarlingtownWhenberry—timewaso’er,Ilookedintothesunset,Andsawanopendoor,AndfromthehillsofGarlingtownIwent,andcamenomore。
FRANKPRENTICERAND
NOCTURNE
NIGHTofinfinitepowerandinfinitesilenceandspace,>Fromyoumaymortalsinfer,ifever,thescopedivine!
Thejealoussunconcealsallbuthisarrogantface,YoubidtheMilkyWayandamillionsunstoshine。
Eachstartonumberlessplanetsgiveslightandmotionandheat,Butyouenmantlethemall,thenearestandmostremote;
Andthelustresofallthesunsarebutspanglesunderyourfeet,—
Merebubblesandbeadsofnoon,theycircleandshineandfloat。
WILLIAMROSCOETHAYER
ENVOI
IWALKEDwithpoetsinmyyouth,BecausetheworldtheydrewWasbeautifulandgloriousBeyondtheworldIknew。
Thepoetsaremycomradesstill,Butdearerthaninyouth,FornowIknowthattheyalonePicturetheworldoftruth。
WILLIAMROSCOETHAYER
THEREWHERETHESEA
THEREwheretheseaenwraptAstripoflandandwind—sweptdune,WherenaturewasquiescentintheglimmeringNoondaysunofearlyJune,——
ThePlacidsealayshimmeringInamistofblue,>FromwhichtheskynowdrewItswealthofhueandcolour;
Oneheardbutthedeepbreathingoftheocean,Asitbreathedalongtheshoreinevenmotion。
Amongthepinesandlistlessofthescene,AtthisandAlcaeuslay,WithintheheartofeachahungerFortheunknowngiftoflife。
HerefromdaytodayTheymetanddreamedawayThesoftunflodingdaysofspring,——
Nowturningtothesummer。
Aleaeus:
IamfaintwithallthefireInmyblood,AndIwouldplungeintothequietblueAndloseallsenseoftimeandyou。
Atthis:
I,too,wouldplungeAndswimwithyou!
Doffingherrobe,themaidstoodinherbeauty,Calmandsureandunafraid,Thesinuoussplendourofherlimbs,Asilentsymphonyofcurvingline,WhichreacheditsfinalnoteInbreastandroundedthroat。
Hehadnotknownthatfleshcouldbesofair;
EachmovementwhichshemadeWoveo’erhissenseadeeperspell,HerbeautyswepthimlikeaflameAndcaughthimunaware。
Shelookedintohiseyes,thendroppinghersBeforethatburninggaze,SoftlyturnedandcreptwithsunlitshouldersDownamongtheboulders,Tothesea。
SecurewithinitscoveringdepthShecalledtohimtofollow。
Sheledhimoutalongthetide,Withswiftunerringstroke,Norpausedtillhewasatherside。
WithconqueringarmHeseizedherandfromherbrowTossedbackthedrippinglocks,andsoughtherlips—
Hereyesclosed,——
Asallherbodyyieldedtohiskiss。
Thenhomeheborehertotheshore,Withinhisheartasongoftriumph;
Inhers,anew—bornjoyofwomanhood。
Sospringforthempassedontosummer。
MARIETUDOR
MARRIAGE
YOU,whohavegivenmeyourname,Andwithyourlawshavemademewife,Toshareyourfailuresandyourfame,Whosewordhasmademeyoursforlife。
Whatproofhaveyouthatyouholdme?
ThatinrealityI’moneWithyou,throughalleternity?
Whatproofwhenallissaidanddone?
Inspiteofallthelawsyou’vemade,I’mfree。Iamnopartofyou。
Butwait—thelastwordisnotsaid;
You’remine,forI’mmyselfandyou。
Allthroughmyveinsthereflowsyourblood,Inyouthereisnopartofme。
ByvirtueofmymotherhoodThroughmeyouliveeternally。
MARIETUDOR
PITY
OhdonotPitymebecauseIgaveMyheartwhenlovelyAprilwithagust,Sweptdownthesinginglaneswithacoolwave;
AnddonotpitymebecauseIthrustAsideyourlovethatonceburnedasaflame。
IwasasthirstyasawindyflowerThatbaresitsbosomtothesummershowerAndtotheunrememberedwindsthatcame。
Pitymemostformomentsyettobe,Inthefaryears,whensomedayIshallturnTowardthisstrongpathuptoourlittledoorAndfinditbarredtoallmyecstasy。
Nosoundofyourwarmvoicethewindshaveborne—
Onlythecryingseaupontheshore。
HAROLDVINAL
AROSETOTHELIVING
AROSEtothelivingismoreThansumptuouswreathstothedead;
Infillinglove’sinfinitestore,Arosetothelivingismore,IfgraciouslygivenbeforeThehungeringspiritisfled,—
ArosetothelivingismoreThansumptuouswreathstothedead。
NIXONWATERMAN
THESTORM
SHEreachedforsunsetfires,Andlivedwithstarsandthesea,Themountainsforhertemple,Thestormforpriesthadshe。
TogetheralibationTheypouredtotheGodsheknew,SuchwineasagelessheavensAndlonelywisdombrew。
Nowshehasdonewithworship,Forherallritesarethesame;
YetthestormkeepsgreenforeverThemossuponhername。
G。O。WARREN
WHERETHEYSLEEP
THEfoginrolling,darkandstillLiesdeepuponthecrowdeddeadAsfloodingseauponthesands,Andquenchesstarlightoverhead。
Longhavetheyslept。TheirseparatedustHasmingledwithanamelessmould。
Onlytheslower—crumblingstonesStilltellsomuchasmaybetold。
AndnowinshorelessfogadriftLikesomelonemarinerglidingby,IleanabovethedrowninggravesAndwonderwhenItooshalllieWhereevermorethetidesofnightAndearthwillhidemylonelyrest;
AndTimewillbidmyloveforgetToreadthestoneuponmybreast。
G。O。WARREN
BEAUTY
NOTfleshaloneamI,whenIcanbeSoswiftlycaughtinBeauty’sshimmeringthreadWhoseslenderfibres,woven,heldbyme,Withtheirfrailstrengthmyfollowinghearthaveled。
Yea,notallmortal,notalldeathmymind,When,watchingbylonetwilightwaters’brimItremblinglydecipher,astheywind,Herdeathlesshieroglyphs,thoughstrangeanddim。
Soforthisfaith,whenThoumydustshaltbringTodust,rememberwell,GreatAlchemist,Yearlytochangemywintryearthtospring,ThatIwithBeautystillmaykeepmytryst。
G。O。WARREN
COMRADES
WHEREarethefriendsthatIknewinmyMaying,Inthedaysofmyyouth,inthefirstofmyroaming?
Weweredear;wewereleal;O,farwewentstraying;
Nowneverahearttomyheartcomeshoming!——
Whereishenow,thedarkboyslenderWhotaughtmebare—back,stirrupandreins?
Ilovehim;helovedme;mybeautiful,tenderTamerofhorsesongrass—grownplains。
Whereishenowwhoseeyesswambrighter,Softerthanlove,inhisturbulentcharms;
Whotaughtmetostrike,andtofall,dearfighter,Andgathermeupinhisboyhoodarms;
Taughtmetherifle,andwithmewentriding,Suppledmylimbstothehorseman’swar;
Whereishenow,forwhommyheart’sbiding,Biding,biding——butheridesfar!
Olovethatpassestheloveofwoman!
WhothathathfeltitshalleverforgetWhenthebreathoflifewithathrobturnshuman,Andalad’sheartistoalad’sheartset?
Ever,forever,loverandrover——
Theyshallcling,noreachfromothershallpartTillthereignofthestarsintheheavensbe’over,Andlifeisdustineachfaithfulheart。
Theyaredead,theAmericangrassesunder;
Thereisnoonenowwhopressesmyside;
BytheAfricanchottsIamridingasunder,AndwithgreatjoyrideIthelastgreatride。
Iamfey;Iamfeinofsuddendying;
Thousandsofmilesthereisnoonenear;
Andmyheart——allthenightitiscrying,cryingInthebosomsofdeadladsdarling—dear。
Heartsofmymusic——themdarkearthcovers;
Comradestodie,andtodiefor,werethey;
Inthewidthoftheworldtherewerenosuchrovers——
Backtoback,breasttobreast,itwasourstostay;
Andthehighestonearthwasthevowthatwecherished,Tospurforthfromthecrowdandcomebacknevermore,AndtorideinthetrackofgreatsoulsperishedTillthenestsofthelarkshallroofuso’er。
YetlingersahorsemanonAltaihighlands,Whohathjoyofme,ridingtheTartarglissade,Andone,farfaringo’erorientislandsWhosebloodyetglintswithmyblade’saccolade;
North,west,east,Iflingyoumylasthallooing,Lastlovetothebreastswheremyownhasbled;
ThroughthereachofthedesertmysoulleapspursuingMystarwhereitrisesaStaroftheDead。
GEORGEEDWARDWOODBERRY
THEFLIGHT
I
OWILDHEART,tracktheland’sperfume,Beach—rosesandmoor—heather!
AllfragrancesofherbandbloomFail,outatsea,together。
OfollowwherealoftfindroomLark—songandeagle—feather!
AllecstasiesofthroatandplumeMelt,highonyonblueweather。
OleaveonskyandoceanlostTheflightcreationdareth;
Takewingsoflove,thatmountsthemost:
Findfame,thatfurthestfareth!
Thyflight,albeitamidherhostThee,too,nightstar—likebeareth,Flying,thybreastonheaven’scoast,Theinfiniteoutweareth。
II
\"Deado’erusrollcelestialfires;
MutestandEarth’sancientbeaches;
Oldthoughts,oldinstincts,olddesires,Thepassinghouroutreaches;
Thesoulcreativenevertires——
Evokes,adcres,beseeches;
AndthatheartmostthegodinspiresWhommostitswildnessteaches。
\"ForIwillcoursethroughfallingyearsAndstarsandcitiesburning;
AndIwillmarchthroughdyingcheersPastempiresunreturning;
EvertheworldflamereappearsWheremankindpowerisearning,Thenations’hopes,thepeople’stears,Onewiththewildheartyearning。
GEORGEEDWARDWOODBERRY