Hedoesbutdragarumblingwain,Cheeredbythecoupledbellsofrhyme。"
CoventryPatmoreToMyMotherGentlestofcritics,doesyourmemoryholdIknowitdoesarecordofthedaysWhenI,aschoolboy,earnedyourgenerouspraiseForhaltingverseandstoriescrudelytold?
Overthesechildishscrawlstheyearshaverolled,Theymightnotknowtheworld'sunfriendlygaze;
Butstillyoursmileshinesdownfamiliarways,Touchesmywordsandturnstheirdrosstogold。
Moredearto-daythaninthatvanishedtimeComesyournighpraisetomakemeproudandstrong。
InmypoornotesyouhearLove'ssplendidchime,Sountoyoudoesthis,myworkbelong。
Take,then,alittlegiftoffragilerhyme:
Yourheartwillchangeittoauthenticsong。
ContentsTheTwelve-Forty-FivePenniesTreesStarsOldPoetsDelicatessenServantGirlandGrocer'sBoyWealthMartinTheApartmentHouseAsWindsThatBlowAgainstAStarSt。LaurenceToAYoungPoetWhoKilledHimselfMemorialDayTheRosaryVisionToCertainPoetsLove'sLanternSt。AlexisFollyMadnessPoetsCitizenoftheWorldToaBlackbirdandHisMateWhoDiedintheSpringTheFourthShepherdEasterMountHouvenkopfTheHousewithNobodyinItDaveLillyAlarmClocksWaverleyTreesandOtherPoemsTheTwelve-Forty-FiveForEdwardJ。Wheeler
WithintheJerseyCityshedTheenginecoughsandshakesitshead,Thesmoke,aplumeofredandwhite,Wavesmadlyinthefaceofnight。
AndnowthegraveincuriousstarsGleamonthegroaninghurryingcars。
AgainstthekindandawfulreignOfdarkness,thisourangrytrain,Anoisylittlerebel,poutsItsbriefdefiance,flamesandshouts——
Andpasseson,andleavesnotrace。
Fordarknessholdsitsancientplace,Sereneandabsolute,thekingUnchanged,ofeverylivingthing。
ThehouseslieobscureandstillInRutherfordandCarltonHill。
OurlampsintensifythedarkOfslumberingPassaicPark。
AndquietholdsthewearyfeetThatdailytrampthroughProspectStreet。
WhatthoughweclangandclankandroarThroughallPassaic'sstreets?NodoorWillopen,notaneyewillseeWhothisloudvagabondmaybe。
Uponmycrimsoncushionedseat,Inmanufacturedlightandheat,Ifeelunnaturalandmean。
Outsidethetownsarecoolandclean;
CurtainedawhilefromsoundandsightTheytakeGod'sgraciousgiftofnight。
Thestarsarewatchfuloverthem。
OnCliftonasonBethlehemTheangels,leaningdownthesky,Shedpeaceandgentledreams。AndI——
Iride,IblasphemouslyrideThroughallthesilentcountryside。
Theengine'sshriek,theheadlight'sglare,Pollutethestillnocturnalair。
ThecottagesofLakeViewsighAndsleeping,frownaswepassby。
Why,evenstridentPatersonRestsquietlyasanynun。
HerfoolishwarringchildrenkeepThegratefularmisticeofsleep。
Forwhattremendouserrand'ssakeArewesoblatantlyawake?
Whatprecioussecretisourfreight?
Whatkingmustbeabroadsolate?
PerhapsDeathroamsthehillsto-nightAndwerushforthtogivehimfight。
Orelse,perhaps,wespeedhiswayTosomeremoteunthinkingprey。
PerhapsawomanwrithesinpainAndlistens——listensforthetrain!
Thetrain,thatlikeanangelsings,Thetrain,withhealingonitswings。
Now"Hawthorne!"theconductorcries。
Myneighborstartsandrubshiseyes。
HehurriesyawningthroughthecarAndstepsoutwherethehousesare。
Thisisthereasonofourquest!
NotwantonlywebreaktherestOftownandvillage,nordoweLightlyprofanenight'ssanctity。
WhatLovecommandsthetrainfulfills,AndbeautifuluponthehillsAretheseourfeetofburnishedsteel。
SubtlyandcertainlyIfeelThatGlenRockwelcomesustoherAndsilentRidgewoodseemstostirAndsmile,becausesheknowsthetrainHasbroughtherchildrenbackagain。
Wecarrypeoplehome——andsoGodspeedsus,wheresoe'erwego。
Hohokus,Waldwick,AllendaleLiftsleepyheadstogiveushail。
InRamsey,Mahwah,SuffernstandHousesthatwistfullydemandAfather——son——somehumanthingThatthis,themidnighttrain,maybring。
ThetrainsthattravelinthedayTheyhurryfolkstoworkorplay。
ThemidnighttrainisslowandoldButofitletthisthingbetold,ToitshighhonorbeitsaidItcarriespeoplehometobed。
Mycottagelampshineswhiteandclear。
Godblessthetrainthatbroughtmehere。
PenniesAfewlong-hoardedpenniesinhishandBeholdhimstand;
AkiltedHedonist,perplexedandsad。
Thejoythatoncehehad,Thefirstdelightofownershipisfled。
Hebowshislittlehead。
Ah,cruelTime,tokillThatsplendidthrill!
Theninhistear-dimmedeyesNewlightsarise。
Hedropshistreasuredpenniesontheground,TheyrollandboundAndscattered,rest。
NowwithwhatzestHerunstofindhiserrantwealthagain!
SountomenDothGod,deprivingthatHemaybestow。
Fame,healthandmoneygo,Butthattheymay,newfound,benewlysweet。
Yea,atHisfeetSit,waitingus,totheirconcealmentbid,Allthey,ourlovers,whomHisLovehathhid。
Lo,comfortbloomsonpain,andpeaceonstrife,Andgainonloss。
WhatisthekeytoEverlastingLife?
Ablood-stainedCross。
TreesForMrs。HenryMillsAlden
IthinkthatIshallneverseeApoemlovelyasatree。
AtreewhosehungrymouthisprestAgainsttheearth'ssweetflowingbreast;
AtreethatlooksatGodallday,Andliftsherleafyarmstopray;
AtreethatmayinSummerwearAnestofrobinsinherhair;
Uponwhosebosomsnowhaslain;
Whointimatelyliveswithrain。
Poemsaremadebyfoolslikeme,ButonlyGodcanmakeatree。
StarsFortheRev。JamesJ。Daly,S。J。
Brightstars,yellowstars,flashingthroughtheair,AreyouerrantstrandsofLadyMary'shair?
Assheslitsthecloudyveilandbendsdownthrough,Doyoufallacrosshercheeksandoverheaventoo?
Gaystars,littlestars,youarelittleeyes,Eyesofbabyangelsplayingintheskies。
NowandthenawingedchildturnshismerryfaceDowntowardthespinningworld——whatafunnyplace!
JesusChristcamefromtheCrossChristreceivemysoul!
Ineachperfecthandandfoottherewasabloodyhole。
Fourgreatironspikestherewere,redandneverdry,MichaelpluckedthemfromtheCrossandsettheminthesky。
Christ'sTroop,Mary'sGuard,God'sownmen,DrawyourswordsandstrikeatHellandstrikeagain。
Everysteel-bornsparkthatflieswhereGod'sbattlesare,FlashespastthefaceofGod,andisastar。
OldPoetsForRobertCortezHolliday
IfIshouldliveinaforestAndsleepunderneathatree,NogroveofimpudentsaplingsWouldmakeahomeforme。
I'dgowheretheoldoaksgather,Sereneandgoodandstrong,AndtheywouldnotsighandtrembleAndvexmewithasong。
ThepleasantestsortofpoetIsthepoetwho'soldandwise,WithanoldwhitebeardandwrinklesAbouthiskindoldeyes。
FortheseyoungflippertigibbetsA-rhymingtheirhoursawayTheywon'tbestilllikehonestmenAndlistentowhatyousay。
TheyoungpoetscreamsforeverAbouthissexandhissoul;
Buttheoldmanlistens,andsmokeshispipe,Andpolishesitsbowl。
ThereshouldbeaclubforpoetsWhohavecometoseventyyear。
TheyshouldsitinagreathalldrinkingRedwineandgoldenbeer。
Theywouldshuffleinofanevening,Eachonetohiscushionedseat,AndtherewouldbemellowtalkingAndsilencerichandsweet。
ThereisnopeacetobetakenWithpoetswhoareyoung,FortheyworryaboutthewarstobefoughtAndthesongsthatmustbesung。
Buttheoldmanknowsthathe'sinhischairAndthatGod'sonHisthroneinthesky。
SohesitsbythefireincomfortAndheletstheworldspinby。
DelicatessenWhyisthatwantongossipFameSodumbaboutthisman'saffairs?
WhydowetitterathisnameWhocometobuyhiscuriouswares?
Hereisashopofwonderment。
Fromeverylandhascomeaprize;
RichspicesfromtheOrient,AndfruitthatknewItalianskies,AndfigsthatripenedbytheseaInSmyrna,nutsfromhotBrazil,StrangepungentmeatsfromGermany,AndcurrantsfromaGrecianhill。
HeisthelordofgoodlythingsThatmakethepoorman'stablegay,YetofhisworthnominstrelsingsAndonhistombthereisnobay。
Perhapshelivesanddiesunpraised,Thistraffickerinhumblesweets,BecausehislittleshopsareraisedBythousandsinthecitystreets。
Yetstarsingreaternumbersshine,Andvioletsinmillionsgrow,AndtheyinmanyagoldenlineAresung,aseverychildmustknow。
PerhapsFamethinkshisworriedeyes,Hiswrinkled,shrewd,patheticface,Hisshop,andallhesellsandbuysAredesperatelycommonplace。
Well,itistruehehasnoswordTodangleathisbootedknees。
Heleansacrossaslabofboard,Anddrawshisknifeandslicescheese。
Heneverheardofchivalry,Helongsfornoheroictimes;
Hethinksofpickles,olives,tea,Anddollars,nickles,centsanddimes。
Hisworldhasnarrowwalls,itseems;
Bycountersishissoulconfined;
Hiswaresareallhishopesanddreams,Theyarethefabricofhismind。
Yet——inaroomabovethestoreThereisawoman——andachildPatteredjustnowacrossthefloor;
Theshopmanlookedathimandsmiled。
For,oncehethrilledwithhighromanceAndtunedtolovehiseagervoice。
LikeanycavalierofFranceHewooedthemaidenofhischoice。
AndnowdeepinhiswearyheartAresacredflamesthatwhitelyburn。
HehasofHeaven'sgraceapartWholoves,whoisbelovedinturn。
Andwhenthelongday'sworkisdone,Howslowtheleadenminutesran!
Home,withhiswifeandlittleson,Heisnohuckster,butaman!
Andtherearethosewhograsphishand,Whodrinkwithhimandwishhimwell。
OinnodrearandlonelylandShallhewhohonorsfriendshipdwell。
Andinhislittleshop,whoknowsWhatbittergamesofwarareplayed?
Why,dailyoneachcornergrowsAfoetorobhimofhistrade。
Hefights,andforhisfireside'ssake;
Hefightsforclothingandforbread:
ThelancesofhisfoemenmakeAsteelyhaloroundhishead。
Hedeckshiswindowartfully,Hehagglesoverpaltrysums。
InthisstrangefieldhiswarmustbeAndbysuchblowshistriumphcomes。
WhatifnotrumpetsoundstocallHisarmedlegionstohisside?
Whatif,tonoancestralhallHecomesinallavictor'spride?
Thesceneshallneverfitthedeed。
Grotesquelywonderscometopass。
ThefoolshallmountanArabsteedAndJesusrideuponanass。
ThismanhashomeandchildandwifeAndbattlesetforeveryday。
ThismanhasGodandloveandlife;
Thesestand,allelseshallpassaway。
OCarpenterofNazareth,Whosemotherwasavillagemaid,Shallwe,Thychildren,blowourbreathInscornonanyhumbletrade?
HavepityonourfoolishnessAndgiveuseyes,thatwemayseeBeneaththeshopman'sclumsydressThesplendorofhumanity!
ServantGirlandGrocer'sBoyHerlips'remarkwas:"Oh,youkid!"
HersoulspokethusIknowitdid:
"Okingofrealmsofendlessjoy,Myown,mygoldengrocer'sboy,IamaprincessforcedtodwellWithinalonelykitchencell,WhileyougodashingthroughthelandWithlovelinessoneveryhand。
YourwhistlestrikesmyeagerearsLikemusicofthechoiringspheres。
ThemightyearthgrowsfaintandreelsBeneathyourthunderingwagonwheels。
Howkeenly,perilouslysweetToclinguponthatswayingseat!
HowhappyshewhobyyoursideMaysharethesplendorsofthatride!
Ah,ifyouwillnottakemyhandAndbearmeoffacrosstheland,Then,travellerfromArcady,Remainawhileandcomfortme。
WhatothermaidencanyoufindSoyounganddelicateandkind?"
Herlips'remarkwas:"Oh,youkid!"
HersoulspokethusIknowitdid。
WealthForAline
Fromwhatoldballad,orfromwhatrichframeDidyoudescendtoglorifytheearth?
WasitfromChaucer'ssingingbookyoucame?
OrdidWatteau'ssmallbrushesgiveyoubirth?
NothingsoexquisiteasthatslighthandCouldRaphaelorLeonardotrace。
NorcouldthepoetsknowinFairylandThechangingwonderofyourlyricface。
Iwouldpossessahostoflovelythings,ButIampoorandsuchjoysmaynotbe。
SoGodwholiftsthepoorandhumbleskingsSentlovelinessitselftodwellwithme。
MartinWhenIamtiredofearnestmen,Intenseandkeenandsharpandclever,PursuingfamewithbrushorpenOrcountingmetaldisksforever,ThenfromthehallsofShadowlandBeyondthetracklesspurpleseaOldMartin'sghostcomesbacktostandBesidemydeskandtalktome。
StillonhisdelicatepalefaceAquizzicalthinsmileisshowing,Hischeeksarewrinkledlikefinelace,Hiskindblueeyesaregayandglowing。
Hewearsabrilliant-huedcravat,Asuittomatchhissoftgreyhair,Arakishstick,aknowinghat,Amannerblitheanddebonair。
HowgoodthathewhoalwaysknewThatbeinglovelywasaduty,ShouldhavegoldhallstowanderthroughAndshouldhimselfinhabitbeauty。
HowlikehisoldunselfishwayToleavethosehallsofsplendidmirthAndcomfortthosecondemnedtostayUponthedullandsombreearth。
Somepeopleask:"WhatcruelchanceMadeMartin'slifesosadastory?"
Martin?Why,heexhaledromance,Andworeanovercoatofglory。
Afleckofsunlightinthestreet,Ahorse,abook,agirlwhosmiled,SuchvisionsmadeeachmomentsweetForthisreceptiveancientchild。
BecauseitwasoldMartin'slotTobe,notmake,adecoration,Shallwethenscornhim,havingnotHisgeniusofappreciation?
Richjoyandlovehegotandgave;
Hisheartwasmerryashisdress;
PilelaurelwreathsuponhisgraveWhodidnotgain,butwas,success!
TheApartmentHouseSevereagainstthepleasantarcofskyThegreatstoneboxiscruellydisplayed。
Thestreetbecomesmoredrearyfromitsshade,Andvagrantbreezestouchitswallsanddie。
Heresullenconvictsintheirchainsmightlie,Orslavestoildumblyatsomedrearytrade。
HowworsethanfollyistheirlabormadeWhoclefttherocksthatthismightriseonhigh!
Yet,asIlook,Iseeawoman'sfaceGleamfromawindowfarabovethestreet。
Thisisahouseofhomes,asacredplace,Byhumanpassionmadedivinelysweet。
HowallthebuildingthrillswithsuddengraceBeneaththemagicofLove'sgoldenfeet!
AsWindsThatBlowAgainstAStarForAline
NowbywhatwhimofwantonchanceDoradianteyesknowsombredays?
AndfeetthatshodinlightshoulddanceWalkwearyandlaboriousways?
ButraysfromHeaven,whiteandwhole,Maypenetratethegloomofearth;
Andtearsbutnourish,inyoursoul,Thegloryofcelestialmirth。
Thedartsoftoilandsorrow,sentAgainstyourpeacefulbeauty,areAsfoolishandasimpotentAswindsthatblowagainstastar。
St。LaurenceWithinthebrokenVaticanThemurderedPopeislyingdead。
ThesoldiersofValerianTheirevilhandsarewetandred。
Unarmed,unmoved,St。Laurencewaits,Hiscassockishisonlymail。
ThetroopsofHellhaveburstthegates,ButChristisLord,Heshallprevail。
Theyhaveencompassedhimwithsteel,Theyspituponhisgentleface,Hesmilesandbleeds,norwillrevealTheChurch'shiddentreasure-place。
Ah,faithfulsteward,worthyknight,Wellhastthoudone。Beholdthyfee!
SincethouhastfoughtthegoodlyfightAmartyr'sdeathisfixedforthee。
St。Laurence,prayforustobearThefaithwhichglorifiesthyname。
St。Laurence,prayforustoshareThewoundsofLove'sconsumingflame。
ToAYoungPoetWhoKilledHimselfWhenyouhadplayedwithlifeaspaceAndmadeitdrinkandlustandsing,YouflungitbackintoGod'sfaceAndthoughtyoudidanoblething。
"Lo,Ihavelivedandloved,"yousaid,"Andsungtofoolstoodulltohearme。
NowforacoolandgrassybedWithvioletsinblossomnearme。"
Well,restisgoodforwearyfeet,Althoughtheyranfornogreatprize;
Andvioletsareverysweet,Althoughtheirrootsareinyoureyes。
ButharktowhattheearthwormssayWhosharewithyouyourmuddyhaven:
"Thefightwason——youranaway。
Youareacowardandacraven。
"Therugisruinedwhereyoubled;
Itwasadirtywaytodie!
ToputabulletthroughyourheadAndmakeasillywomancry!
YoucouldnotvexthemerrystarsNormakethemheedyou,deadorliving。
NotallyourpunyangermarsGod'sirresistibleforgiving。
"Yes,Godforgivesandmenforget,Andyou'reforgivenandforgotten。
YoumightbegailysinningyetAndquickandfreshinsteadofrotten。
AndwhenyouthinkofloveandfameAndallthatmighthavecometopass,Thendon'tyoufeelalittleshame?
Anddon'tyouthinkyouwereanass?"
MemorialDay"Dulceetdecorumest"
Thebugleechoesshrillandsweet,Butnotofwaritsingsto-day。
TheroadisrhythmicwiththefeetOfmen-at-armswhocometopray。
TherosesblossomwhiteandredOntombswherewearysoldierslie;
FlagswaveabovethehonoreddeadAndmartialmusiccleavesthesky。
Abovetheirwreath-strewngraveswekneel,Theykeptthefaithandfoughtthefight。
ThroughflyingleadandcrimsonsteelTheyplungedforFreedomandtheRight。
Maywe,theirgratefulchildren,learnTheirstrength,wholiebeneaththissod,WhowentthroughfireanddeathtoearnAtlasttheaccoladeofGod。
InshiningrankonrankarrayedTheymarch,thelegionsoftheLord;
HeistheirCaptainunafraid,ThePrinceofPeace……Whobroughtasword。
TheRosaryNotonthelute,norharpofmanystringsShallallmenpraisetheMasterofallsong。
Ourlifeisbrief,onesaith,andartislong;
Andskilledmustbethelaureatesofkings。
Silent,Olipsthatutterfoolishthings!
Rest,awkwardfingersstrikingallnoteswrong!
Howfromyourtoilshallissue,whiteandstrong,MusiclikethatGod'schosenpoetsings?
Thereisoneharpthatanyhandcanplay,Andfromitsstringswhatharmoniesarise!
Thereisonesongthatanymouthcansay,——
Asongthatlingerswhenallsingingdies。
WhenontheirbeadsourMother'schildrenprayImmortalmusiccharmsthegratefulskies。
VisionForAline
Homer,theytellus,wasblindandcouldnotseethebeautifulfacesLookingupintohisownandreflectingthejoyofhisdream,YetdidheseemGiftedwitheyesthatcouldfollowthegodstotheirholiestplaces。
Ihavenovisionofgods,notofEroswithlove-arrowsladen,JupiterthunderingdeathorofJunohiswhite-breastedqueen,YethaveIseenAllofthejoyoftheworldintheinnocentheartofamaiden。
ToCertainPoetsNowistherhymer'shonesttradeAthingforscornfullaughtermade。
Themerchant'ssneer,theclerk'sdisdain,Thesearetheburdenofourpain。
Becauseofyoudidthisbefall,Youbroughtthisshameuponusall。
YoulittlepoetsmincingthereWithwomen'sheartsandwomen'shair!
HowsickDanChaucer'sghostmustbeTohearyoulispof"Poesie"!
Aheavy-handedblow,Ithink,Wouldmakeyourveinsdripscentedink。
YoustrutandsmirkyourlittlewhileSomildly,delicatelyvile!
YourtinyvoicesmockGod'swrath,YousnailsthatcrawlalongHispath!
Why,whathasGodormantodoWithwet,amorphousthingslikeyou?
Thisthingaloneyouhaveachieved:
Becauseofyou,itisbelievedThatallwhoearntheirbreadbyrhymeArelikeyourselves,exudingslime。
Oh,ceasetowrite,forveryshame,Ereallmenspituponourname!
Takeupyourneedles,dropyourpen,Andleavethepoet'scrafttomen!
Love'sLanternForAline
BecausetheroadwassteepandlongAndthroughadarkandlonelyland,GodsetuponmylipsasongAndputalanterninmyhand。
ThroughmilesonwearymilesofnightThatstretchrelentlessinmywayMylanternburnssereneandwhite,Anunexhaustedcupofday。
Ogoldenlightsandlightslikewine,Howdimyourboastedsplendorsare。
Beholdthislittlelampofmine;
Itismorestarlikethanastar!
St。AlexisPatronofBeggarsWewhobegforbreadaswedailytreadCountrylaneandcitystreet,LetuskneelandprayonthebroadhighwayTothesaintwiththevagrantfeet。
Ouraltarlightisabuttercupbright,Andourshrineisabankofsod,ButstillweshareSt。Alexis'care,TheVagabondofGod。
TheygavehimahomeinpurpleRomeAndaprincessforhisbride,ButherowedawayonhisweddingdayDowntheTiber'srushingtide。
AndhecametolandontheAsianstrandWheretheheathenpeopledwell;
AsabeggarhestrayedandhepreachedandprayedAndhesavedtheirsoulsfromhell。
BowedwithyearsandpainhecamebackagainTohisfather'sdwellingplace。
Therewasnonetoseewhothistrampmightbe,Fortheyknewnothisbeardedface。
Buthisfathersaid,"GivehimdrinkandbreadAndacouchunderneaththestair。"
SoAlexiscrepttohisholeandslept。
Buthemightnotlingerthere。
Forwhennightcamedownontheseven-hilledtown,Andtheemperorhurriedin,Saying,"Lo,IhearthatasaintisnearWhowillcleanseusofoursin,"
Thentheylookedinvainwherethesainthadlain,Forhissoulhadfledafar,FromhisfleshlyhomehehadgonetoroamWherethegold-pavedhighwaysare。
WewhobegforbreadaswedailytreadCountrylaneandcitystreet,LetuskneelandprayonthebroadhighwayTothesaintwiththevagrantfeet。
Ouraltarlightisabuttercupbright,Andourshrineisabankofsod,ButstillweshareSt。Alexis'care,TheVagabondofGod!
FollyForA。K。K。
WhatdistantmountainsthrillandglowBeneathourLadyFolly'stread?
Whyhassheleftus,wiseinwoe,Shrewd,practical,uncomforted?
Wecannotloveordreamorsing,Wearetoocynicaltopray,ThereisnojoyinanythingSinceLadyFollywentaway。
Manyaknightandgentlemaid,Whosegloryshinesfromyearsgoneby,ThroughignorancewasunafraidAndasafoolknewhowtodie。
SaintFollyrodebesideJehanneAndbroketheranksofHellwithher,AndFolly'ssmileshonebrightlyonChrist'splaything,BrotherJuniper。
OurmindsaretroubledanddefiledBystudyinawearyschool。
Oforthefollyofthechild!
Thereadycourageofthefool!
Lord,crushourknowledgeutterlyAndmakeushumble,simplemen;
Andcleansedofwisdom,letusseeOurLadyFolly'sfaceagain。
MadnessForSaraTeasdale
Thelonelyfarm,thecrowdedstreet,Thepalaceandtheslum,GivewelcometomysilentfeetAs,bearinggifts,Icome。
Lastnightabeggarcrouchedalone,Araggedhelplessthing;
Isethimonamoonbeamthrone——
Todayheisaking。
LastnightakinginorbandcrownHeldcourtwithsplendidcheer;
TodayhetearshispurplegownAndmoansandshrieksinfear。
Notironbars,norflashingspears,Notland,norsky,norsea,Norlove'sartilleryoftearsCankeepmineownfromme。
Serene,unchanging,everfair,IsmilewithsecretmirthAndinanetofmineownhairIswingthecaptiveearth。
PoetsVainisthechimingofforgottenbellsThatthewindswaysabovearuinedshrine。
VainerhisvoiceinwhomnolongerdwellsHungerthatcravesimmortalBreadandWine。
LightsongswebreathethatperishwithourbreathOutofourlipsthathavenotkissedtherod。
Theyshallnotlivewhohavenottasteddeath。
TheyonlysingwhoarestruckdumbbyGod。
CitizenoftheWorldNolongerofHimbeitsaid"HehathnoplacetolayHishead。"
IneverylandaconstantlampFlamesbyHissmallandmightycamp。
ThereisnostrangeanddistantplaceThatisnotgladdenedbyHisface。
AndeverynationkneelstohailTheSplendourshiningthroughItsveil。
Cloisteredbesidetheshoutingstreet,Silent,HecallsmetoHisfeet。
ImprisonedforHisloveofmeHemakesmyspiritgreatlyfree。
AndthroughmylipsthatutteredsinTheKingofGloryentersin。
ToaBlackbirdandHisMateWhoDiedintheSpringForKenton
AnironhandhasstilledthethroatsThatthrobbedwithloudandrhythmicgleeAnddammedthefloodofsilvernotesThatdrenchedtheworldinmelody。
TheblosmyappleboughsareyearningFortheirwildchoristers'returning,Butnoswiftwingsflashthroughthetree。
Yethatweregladandfleetandstrong,ShallSilencetakeyouinhernet?
AndshallDeathquellthatradiantsongWhoseechothrillsthemeadowyet?
BurstthefrailwebaboutyouclingingAndcharmDeath'scruelheartwithsingingTillwithstrangetearshiseyesarewet。
ThescentedmorningoftheyearIsoldandstalenowyearegone。
NofriendlysongsthechildrenhearAmongthebushesonthelawn。
Whenbabieswanderouta-MayingWillye,theirbards,afarbestraying?
Unhymnedbyyou,whatisthedawn?
Nay,sinceyelovedyecannotdie。
Abovethestarsissetyournest。
ThroughHeaven'sfieldsyesingandflyAndinthetreesofHeavenrest。
AndlittlechildrenintheirdreamingShallseeyoursoftblackplumagegleamingAndsmile,byyourclearmusicblest。
TheFourthShepherdForThomasWalsh
I
OnnightslikethisthehuddledsheepArelikewhitecloudsuponthegrass,AndmerryherdsmenguardtheirsleepAndchatandwatchthebigstarspass。
ItisapleasantthingtolieUponthemeadowonthehillWithkindlyfellowshipnearbyOfsheepandmenofgentlewill。
IleanuponmybrokencrookAnddreamofsheepandgrassandmen——
OshamefuleyesthatcannotlookOnanyhonestthingagain!
OnbloodyfeetIclambereddownAndfledthewagesofmysin,Iamtheleavingsofthetown,Andmeanlyserveitsmeanestinn。
Itrampthecourtyardstonesingrief,Whilesleeptakesmanandbeasttoher。
Andeverycloudiscalling"Thief!"
Andeverystarcalls"Murderer!"
II
ThehandofGodissureandstrong,NorshallamanforeverfleeThebitterpunishmentofwrong。
ThewrathofGodisoverme!
WithashenbreadandwineoftearsShallIbesolacedinmypain。
IwearthroughblackandendlessyearsUponmybrowthemarkofCain。
III
Poorvagabond,sooldandmild,Willtheynotkeephimforanight?
AndShe,awomangreatwithchild,Sofrailandpitifulandwhite。
Goodpeople,sincethetaverndoorIsshuttoyou,comehereinstead。
See,IhavecleansedmystablefloorAndpiledfreshhaytomakeabed。
Hereissomemilkandoatencake。
Liedownandsleepandrestyoufair,Norfear,Osimplefolk,totakeThebountyofachildofcare。
IV
Onnightslikethisthehuddledsheep——
Ineversawanightsofair。
Howhugetheskyis,andhowdeep!
Andhowtheplanetsflashandglare!
AtdawnbesidemydrowsyflockWhatwingedmusicIhaveheard!
ButnowthecloudswithsingingrockAsiftheskywereturningbird。
OblindingLight,OblindingLight!
Burnthroughmyheartwithsweetestpain。
OflamingSong,mostloudlybright,Consumeawaymydeadlystain!
V
Thestableglowsagainstthesky,Andwhoarethesethatthrongtheway?
MythreeoldcomradeshastenbyAndshiningangelskneelandpray。
Thedoorswingswide——Icannotgo——
ImustandyetIdarenotsee。
Lord,whoamIthatIshouldknow——
Lord,God,bemercifultome!
VI
OWhiteness,whiterthanthefleeceOfnew-washedsheeponAprilsod!
OBreathofLife,OPrinceofPeace,OLambofGod,OLambofGod!
EasterTheairislikeabutterflyWithfrailbluewings。
ThehappyearthlooksattheskyAndsings。
MountHouvenkopfSerenehestands,withmistserenelycrowned,Anddrawsacloakoftreesabouthisbreast。
ThethunderroarsbutcannotbreakhisrestAndfromhisruggedfacethetempestsbound。
Hedoesnotheedtheangrylightning'swound,Theragingblizzardishisharmlessguest,AndhumanlifeisbutapassingjestTohimwhoseesTimespintheyearsaround。
Butfragilesouls,inskyeyreachesfindHighvantage-pointsandviewhimfromafar。
Howlowheseemstotheascendedmind,Howbriefheseemswhereallthingsendlessare;
ThislittleplaymateofthemightywindThisyoungcompanionofanancientstar。
TheHousewithNobodyinItWheneverIwalktoSuffernalongtheErietrackIgobyapooroldfarmhousewithitsshinglesbrokenandblack。
IsupposeI'vepasseditahundredtimes,butIalwaysstopforaminuteAndlookatthehouse,thetragichouse,thehousewithnobodyinit。
Ineverhaveseenahauntedhouse,butIheartherearesuchthings;
Thattheyholdthetalkofspirits,theirmirthandsorrowings。
Iknowthishouseisn'thaunted,andIwishitwere,Ido;
Foritwouldn'tbesolonelyifithadaghostortwo。
ThishouseontheroadtoSuffernneedsadozenpanesofglass,Andsomebodyoughttoweedthewalkandtakeascythetothegrass。
Itneedsnewpaintandshingles,andthevinesshouldbetrimmedandtied;
Butwhatitneedsthemostofallissomepeoplelivinginside。
IfIhadalotofmoneyandallmydebtswerepaidI'dputagangofmentoworkwithbrushandsawandspade。
I'dbuythatplaceandfixitupthewayitusedtobeAndI'dfindsomepeoplewhowantedahomeandgiveittothemfree。
Now,anewhousestandingempty,withstaringwindowanddoor,Looksidle,perhaps,andfoolish,likeahatonitsblockinthestore。
Butthere'snothingmournfulaboutit;itcannotbesadandloneForthelackofsomethingwithinitthatithasneverknown。
Butahousethathasdonewhatahouseshoulddo,ahousethathasshelteredlife,Thathasputitslovingwoodenarmsaroundamanandhiswife,Ahousethathasechoedababy'slaughandhelduphisstumblingfeet,Isthesaddestsight,whenit'sleftalone,thateveryoureyescouldmeet。
SowheneverIgotoSuffernalongtheErietrackInevergobytheemptyhousewithoutstoppingandlookingback,Yetithurtsmetolookatthecrumblingroofandtheshuttersfallenapart,ForIcan'thelpthinkingthepooroldhouseisahousewithabrokenheart。
DaveLillyThere'sabrookonthesideofGreylockthatusedtobefulloftrout,Butthere'snothingtherenowbutminnows;theysayitisallfishedout。
IfishedtheremanyaSummerdaysometwentyyearsago,AndIneverquitwithoutgettingamessofadozenorso。
Therewasaman,DaveLilly,wholivedontheNorthAdamsroad,Andhespentallhistimefishing,whilehisneighborsreapedandsowed。
HewastheluckiestfishermanintheBerkshirehills,Ithink。
Andwhenhedidn'tgofishinghe'dsitinthetavernanddrink。
Well,Daveisdeadandburiedandnobodycaresverymuch;
TheyhavenouseinGreylockfordrunkardsandloafersandsuch。
ButIalwayslikedDaveLilly,hewaspleasantasyoucouldwish;
Hewasshiftlessandgood-for-nothing,buthecertainlycouldfish。
TheothernightIwaswalkingupthehillfromWilliamstownAndIcametothebrookImentioned,andIstoppedonthebridgeandsatdown。
IlookedattheblackenedwaterwithitslittleflecksofwhiteAndIhearditrippleandwhisperinthestilloftheSummernight。
AndafterI'dbeenthereaminuteitseemedtomeIcouldfeelThepresenceofsomeonenearme,andIheardthehumofareel。
Andthewaterwaschurnedandbroken,andsomethingwasbroughttolandByatwistandflirtofashadowyrodinadeftandshadowyhand。
Iscrambleddowntothebrooksideandhuntedallabout;
Therewasn'tasignofafisherman;therewasn'tasignofatrout。
ButIheardsomebodychucklebehindthehollowoakAndIgotawhiffoftobaccolikeLillyusedtosmoke。
It'sfifteenyears,theytellme,sinceanyonefishedthatbrook;
Andthere'snothinginitbutminnowsthatnibblethebaitoffyourhook。
ButbeforethesunhasrisenandafterthemoonhassetIknowthatit'sfullofghostlytroutforLilly'sghosttoget。
IguessI'llgotothetavernandgetabottleofryeAndleaveitdownbythehollowoak,whereLilly'sghostwentby。
ImeanttogouponthehillsideandtrytofindhisgraveAndputsomeflowersonit——butthiswillbebetterforDave。
AlarmClocksWhenDawnstridesouttowakeadewyfarmAcrossgreenfieldsandyellowhillsofhayThelittletwitteringbirdslaughinhiswayAndpoisetriumphantonhisshiningarm。
HebearsaswordofflamebutnottoharmThewakenedlifethatfeelshisquickeningswayAndbarnyardvoicesshrilling"Itisday!"
Takebyhisgraceanewandaliencharm。
Butinthecity,likeawoundedthingThatlimpstocoverfromtheangrychase,Hestealsdownstreetswheresicklyarc-lightssing,Andwanlymockhisyoungandshamefulface;
AndtinygongswithcruelfervorringInmanyahighanddrearysleepingplace。
Waverley1814-1914
When,onanovel'snewlyprintedpageWefindamaudlineulogyofsin,Andreadofwaysthatharlotswanderin,Andofsicksoulsthatwritheinhelplessrage;
OrwhenRomance,bespectacledandsage,TapsonherdeskandbidstheclassbeginTocontheproblemsthathavealwaysbeenPerplexedmankind'sunhappyheritage;
TheninwhatrobesofhonorhabitedThelaureledwizardoftheNorthappears!
WhoraisedPrinceCharlie'scohortsfromthedead,MadeRose'smirthandFlora'snobletears,AndformedthatshininglegionatwhoseheadRidesWaverley,triumphanto'ertheyears!
[EndofTreesandOtherPoems。]
Thefollowingbiographicalinformationistakenfromthe1917editionofJessieB。Rittenhouse'santhologyofModernVerse。
Kilmer,Joyce。BornatNewBrunswick,NewJersey,December6,1886,andgraduatedatColumbiaUniversityin1908。AfterashortperiodofteachinghebecameassociatedwithFunkandWagnallsCompany,whereheremainedfrom1909to1912,whenheassumedthepositionofliteraryeditorof"TheChurchman"。In1913Mr。Kilmerbecameamemberofthestaffofthe"NewYorkTimes",apositionwhichhestilloccupies。Hisvolumesofpoetryare:"ASummerofLove",1911,and"Trees,andOtherPoems",1914。
KilmerdiedinFrancein1918,andalsopublishedanothervolume,"MainStreetandOtherPoems",1917,aswellasindividualpoems,essays,etc。