Contents:
SONNET——MYHEARTSHALLBETHYGARDEN
SONNET——THOUGHTSINSEPARATION
TOAPOET
SONGOFTHESPRINGTOTHESUMMER
TOTHEBELOVED
MEDITATION
TOTHEBELOVEDDEAD——ALAMENT
SONNET
INAUTUMN
ALETTERFROMAGIRLTOHEROWNOLDAGE
SONG
BUILDERSOFRUINS
SONNET
SONGOFTHEDAYTOTHENIGHT
’SOEURMONIQUE’
INEARLYSPRING
PARTED
REGRETS
SONG
SONNET——INFEBRUARY
SANLORENZOGIUSTINIANI’SMOTHER
SONNET——THELOVEOFNARCISSUS
TOALOSTMELODY
SONNET——THEPOETTONATURE
THEPOETTOHISCHILDHOOD
SONNET
ANUNMARKEDFESTIVAL
SONNET——THENEOPHYTE
SONNET——SPRINGONTHEALBANHILLS
SONGOFTHENIGHTATDAYBREAK
SONNET——TOADAISY
SONNET——TOONEPOEMINASILENTTIME
FUTUREPOETRY
THEPOETSINGSTOHERPOET
APOET’SSONNET
THEMODERNPOET
AFTERAPARTING
RENOUNCEMENT
VENICREATOR
SONNET——MYHEARTSHALLBETHYGARDEN
Myheartshallbethygarden。Come,myown,Intothygarden;thinebehappyhoursAmongmyfairestthoughts,mytallestflowers,Fromroottocrowningpetal,thinealone。
ThineistheplacefromwheretheseedsaresownUptotheskyenclosed,withallitsshowers。
Butah,thebirds,thebirds!WhoshallbuildbowersTokeepthesethine?Ofriend,thebirdshaveflown。
Forasthesecomeandgo,andquitourpineTofollowthesweetseason,or,new—comers,Singonesongonlyfromouralder—trees。
Myhearthasthoughts,which,thoughthineeyesholdmine,Flittothesilentworldandothersummers,Withwingsthatdipbeyondthesilverseas。
SONNET——THOUGHTSINSEPARATION
Wenevermeet;yetwemeetdaybydayUponthosehillsoflife,dimandimmense:
Thegoodwelove,andsleep——ourinnocence。
Ohillsoflife,highhills!Andhigherthanthey,Ourguardianspiritsmeetatprayerandplay。
Beyondpain,joy,andhope,andlongsuspense,Abovethesummitsofoursouls,farhence,Anangelmeetsanangelontheway。
BeyondallgoodIeverbelievedoftheeOrthouofme,thesealwaysloveandlive。
AndthoughIfailofthyidealofme,Myangelfallsnotshort。Theygreeteachother。
Whoknows,theymayexchangethekisswegive,Thoutothycrucifix,Itomymother。
TOAPOET
Thouwhosingestthroughtheearth,Alltheearth’swildcreaturesflythee,Everywherethoumarrestmirth。
Dumblytheydefythee。
Thereissomethingtheydenythee。
PinesthyfallennatureeverFortheunfallenNaturesweet。
Butsheshunsthylongendeavour,ThoughherflowersandwheatThrongandpressthypausingfeet。
Thoughthoutameabirdtolovethee,Pressthyfacetograssandflowers,AllthesethingsreserveabovetheeSecretsinthebowers,Secretsinthesunandshowers。
Singthysorrow,singthygladness。
InthysongsmustwindandtreeBearthefictionsofthysadness,Thyhumanity。
Fortheirtruthisnotforthee。
Wait,andmanyasecretnest,Manyahoardedwinter—storeWillbehiddenonthybreast。
ThingsthoulongestforWillnotfearorshuntheemore。
ThoushaltintimatelylieIntherootsofflowersthatthrustUpwardsfromtheetothesky,Withnomoredistrust,Whentheyblossomfromthydust。
SilentlaboursoftherainShallbenearthee,reconciled;
Littlelivesofleavesandgrain,AllthingsshyandwildTelltheesecrets,quietchild。
Earth,setfreefromthyfairfanciesAndtheartthoushaltresign,WillbringforthherrueandpansiesUntomoredivineThoughtsthananythoughtsofthine。
Noughtwillfearthee,humbledcreature。
TherewillliethymortalburdenPresseduntotheheartofNature,Songlessinagarden,Withalongembraceofpardon。
Thenthetruthallcreaturestell,AndHiswillwhomthouentreatest,Shallabsorbthee;thereshalldwellSilence,thecompletestOfthypoems,last,andsweetest。
SONGOFTHESPRINGTOTHESUMMER
THEPOETSINGSTOHERPOET
Opoetofthetimetobe,Myconqueror,Ibeganforthee。
Enterintothypoet’spain,Andtaketherichesoftherain,Andmaketheperfectyearforme。
Thouuntowhommylyreshallfall,Whene’erthoucomest,hearmycall。
O,keepthepromiseofmylays,Takethesweetparableofmydays;
Itrusttheewiththeaimofall。
Andifthythoughtsunfoldfromme,KnowthatItoohavehintsofthee,DimhopesthatcomeacrossmymindIntheraredaysofwarmerwind,Andtonesofsummerinthesea。
AndIhavesetthypaths,IguideThyblossomsonthewildhillside。
AndI,thybygonepoet,shareTheflowersthatthrongthyfeetwhereIledthyfeetbeforeIdied。
TOTHEBELOVED
Oh,notmoresubtlysilencestraysAmongstthewinds,betweenthevoices,Minglingalikewithpensivelays,Andwiththemusicthatrejoices,Thanthouartpresentinmydays。
Mysilence,lifereturnstotheeInallthepausesofherbreath。
HushbacktorestthemelodyThatoutoftheeawakeneth;
Andthou,wakeever,wakeforme。
Full,fullislifeinhiddenplaces,Forthouartsilenceuntome。
Full,fullisthoughtinendlessspaces。
Fullismylife。AsilentseaLiesroundallshoreswithlongembraces。
ThouartlikesilenceallunvexedThoughwildwordspartmysoulfromthee。
Thouartlikesilenceunperplexed,AsecretandamysteryBetweenonefootfallandthenext。
Mostdearpauseinamellowlay!
Thouartinwovenwitheveryair。
Withtheethewildesttempestsplay,AndsnatchesoftheeeverywhereMakelittleheavensthroughoutaday。
Darknessandsolitudeshine,forme。
Forlife’sfairoutwardpartarerifeThesilvernoises;letthembe。
ItistheverysouloflifeListensforthee,listensforthee。
Opausebetweenthesobsofcares!
Othoughtwithinallthoughtthatis;
Trancebetweenlaughtersunawares!
Thouarttheformofmelodies,Andthoutheecstasyofprayers。
MEDITATION
RorateCoelidesuper,etnubespluantJustum。
AperiaturTerra,etgerminetSalvatorem。
NosuddenthingofgloryandfearWastheLord’scoming;butthedearSlowNature’sdaysfollowedeachotherToformtheSaviourfromhisMother—Oneofthechildrenoftheyear。
Theearth,therain,receivedthetrust,—Thesunanddews,toframetheJust。
Hedrewhisdailylifefromthese,AccordingtohisowndecreesWhomakesmanfromthefertiledust。
Sweetsummerandthewinterwild,Thesebroughthimforth,theUndefiled。
ThehappySpringsrenewedagainHisdailybread,thegrowinggrain,ThefoodandraimentoftheChild。
TOTHEBELOVEDDEAD——ALAMENT
Beloved,thouartlikeatunethatidlefingersPlayonawindow—pane。
Thetimeisthere,theformofmusiclingers;
ButOthousweeteststrain,Whereisthysoul?Thouliesti’thewindandrain。
Evenastohimwhoplaysthatidleair,Itseemsamelody,Forhisownsoulisfullofit,so,myFair,Dead,thoudostliveinme,Andallthislonelysoulisfullofthee。
Thousongofsongs!——notmusicasbeforeUntotheoutwardear;
Myspiritsingstheeinlyevermore,Thyfallswithtearontear。
Ifailforthee,thouarttoosweet,toodear。
Thousilentsong,thouevervoicelessrhyme,Istherenopulsetomovethee,Atwindydawn,withawildheartbeatingtime,Andfallingtearsabovethee,Omusicstifledfromtheearsthatlovethee?
Oh,forastrainoftheefromouterair!
Soulweariessoul,Ifind。
Ofthee,thee,thee,Iammournfullyaware,—Containedinonepoormind,Whowertintuneandtimetoeverywind。
Poorgrave,poorlostbeloved!butIburnForsomemorevastTobe。
AshethatplayedthatsecrettunemayturnAndstrikeitonalyretriumphantly,Iwaitsomefuture,allalyreforthee。
SONNET
Yourownfairyouth,youcaresolittleforit,SmilingtowardsHeaven,youwouldnotstaytheadvancesOftimeandchangeuponyourhappiestfancies。
Ikeepyourgoldenhour,andwillrestoreit。
Ifever,intimetocome,youwouldexploreit—
Youroldselfwhosethoughtswentlikelastyear’spansies,Lookuntome;nomirrorkeepsitsglances;
InmyunfailingpraisesnowIstoreit。
TokeepalljoysofyoursfromTime’sestranging,Ishallbethenatreasurywhereyourgay,Happy,andpensivepastforeveris。
Ishallbethenagardencharmedfromchanging,InwhichyourJunehasneverpassedaway。
Walkthereawhileamongmymemories。
INAUTUMN
Theleavesaremanyundermyfeet,Anddriftoneway。
Theirscentofdeathiswearyandsweet。
AflightofthemisinthegreyWhereskyandforestmeet。
Thelowwindsmoanfordeadsweetyears;
Thebirdssingallforpain,Ofacommonthing,towearyears,—
Onlyasummer’sfateofrain,Andawoman’sfateoftears。
IwalktoloveandlifealoneOverthesemournfulplaces,Acrossthesummeroverthrown,Thedeadjoysofthesesilentfaces,Toclaimmyown。
IknowhishearthasbeattobrightSweetlovesgoneby。
Iknowtheleavesthatdieto—nightOncebuddedtothesky,AndIshalldiefromhisdelight。
Oleaves,soquietlyendingnow,Youhaveheardcuckoossing。
AndIwillgrowuponmyboughIfonlyforaSpring,Andfallwhentherainisonmybrow。
Otellme,tellmeereyoudie,Isitworththepain?
Youbloomedsofair,youwavedsohigh;
Nowthatthesaddayswane,Areyourepentingwhereyoulie?
Ilieamongstyou,andIkissYourfragrancemouldering。
Odeaddelights,isitsuchbliss,ThattunefulSpring?
Islovesosweet,thatcomestothis?
Odyingblissesoftheyear,Iheartheyounglambsbleat,Theclamouringbirdsi’thecopseIhear,Ihearthewavingwheat,Togetherlaidonadead—leafbier。
KissmeagainasIkissyou;
Kissmeagain;
Forallyourtunefulnightsofdew,Inthisyourtimeofrain,ForallyourkisseswhenSpringwasnew。
Youwillnot,brokenhearts;letbe。
IpassacrossyourdeathToagoldensummeryoushallnotsee,AndinyourdyingbreathThereisnobenisonforme。
Thereisanautumnyettowane,Thereareleavesyettofall,Which,whenIkiss,maykissagain,And,pitied,pitymeallforall,Andlovemeinmistandrain。
ALETTERFROMAGIRLTOHEROWNOLDAGE
Listen,andwhenthyhandthispaperpresses,Otime—wornwoman,thinkofherwhoblessesWhatthythinfingerstouch,withhercaresses。
Omother,fortheweightofyearsthatbreakthee!
Odaughter,forslowtimemustyetawakethee,Andfromthechangesofmyheartmustmakethee。
Ofaintingtraveller,mornisgreyinheaven。
Dostthourememberhowthecloudsweredriven?
Andaretheycalmaboutthefallofeven?
Pauseneartheendingofthylongmigration,ForthisonesuddenhourofdesolationAppealstoonehourofthymeditation。
Suffer,Osilentone,thatIremindtheeOfthegreathillsthatstormedtheskybehindthee,Ofthewildwindsofpowerthathaveresignedthee。
KnowthatthemournfulplainwherethoumustwanderIsbutagreyandsilentworld,butponderThemistymountainsofthemorningyonder。
Listen:—themountainwindswithrainwerefretting,Andsuddengleamsthemountain—topsbesetting。
Icannotlettheefadetodeath,forgetting。
WhatpartofthiswildheartofmineIknownotWillfollowwiththeewherethegreatwindsblownot,Andwheretheyoungflowersofthemountaingrownot。
YetletmyletterwiththylostthoughtsinitTellwhatthewaywaswhenthoudidstbeginit,Andwinwiththeethegoalwhenthoushaltwinit。
Oh,insomehourofthinemythoughtsshallguidethee。
Suddenly,thoughtime,darkness,silencehidethee,Thiswindfromthylostcountryflitsbesidethee,—
Tellingthee:allthymemoriesmovedthemaiden,Withthyregretswasmorningover—shaden,Withsorrowthouhastleft,herlifewasladen。
ButwhithershallmythoughtsturntopursuetheeLifechanges,andtheyearsanddaysrenewthee。
Oh,Naturebringsmystrayingheartuntothee。
Herwindswilljoinus,withtheirconstantkissesUpontheeveningasthemorningtresses,Hersummersbreathethesameunchangingblisses。
Andwe,soalteredinourshiftingphases,Trackoneanother’midthemanymazesBytheeternalchild—breathofthedaisies。
IhavenotwritthisletterofdiviningTomakeagloryofthysilentpining,Atriumphofthymuteandstrangedeclining。
Onlyoneyouth,andthebrightlifewasshrouded。
Onlyonemorning,andthedaywasclouded。
Andoneoldagewithallregretsiscrowded。
Oh,hush;oh,hush!Thytearsmywordsaresteeping。
Oh,hush,hush,hush!Sofull,thefountofweeping?
Pooreyes,soquicklymoved,soneartosleeping?
Pardonthegirl;suchstrangedesiresbesether。
Poorwoman,layasidethemournfulletterThatbreaksthyheart;theonewhowrote,forgether。
Theonewhonowthyfadedfeaturesguesses,Withfilialfingersthygreyhaircaresses,Withmorningtearsthymournfultwilightblesses。
SONG
Astheinhasteningtidedothroll,Dearanddesired,alongthewholeWideshiningstrand,andfloodsthecaves,YourlovecomesfillingwithhappywavesTheopensea—shoreofmysoul。
Butinlandfromtheseawardspaces,Noneknows,notevenyou,theplacesBrimmed,atyourcoming,outofsight,—ThelittlesolitudesofdelightThistideconstrainsindimembraces。
Youseethehappyshore,wave—rimmed,ButknownotofthequietdimmedRiversyourcomingfloodsandfills,Thelittlepools’midhappierhills,Mysilentrivulets,over—brimmed。
What,Ihavesecretsfromyou?Yes。
But,visitingSea,yourlovedothpressAndreachinfurtherthanyouknow,Andfillsallthese;andwhenyougo,There’slonelinessinloneliness。
BUILDERSOFRUINS
Webuildwithstrengththedeeptower—wallThatshallbeshatteredthusandthus。
Andfairandgreatarecourtandhall,ButHOWfair——thisisnotforus,Whoknowthelackthatlurksinall。
Weknow,weknowhowalltoobrightThehuesarethatourpaintingwears,Andhowthemarblegleamstoowhite;—
Wespeakinunknowntongues,theyearsInterpreteverythingaright,Andcrownwithweedsourprideoftowers,Andwarmourmarblethroughwithsun,Andbreakourpavementsthroughwithflowers,WithanAmenwhenallisdone,Knowingtheseperfectthingsofours。
Odays,weponder,leftalone,Likechildrenintheirlonelyhour,Andinoursecretskeepyourown,Asseedsthecolouroftheflower。
To—daytheyarenotallunknown,Thestarsthat’twixttheriseandfall,Likerelic—seers,shallonebyoneStandmusingo’erouremptyhall;
AndsettingmoonsshallbrooduponThefrescoesofourinwardwall。
Andwhensomemidsummershallbe,Hitherwillcomesomelittleone(Dustywithbloomofflowersishe),Sitonaruini’thelatelongsun,Andthink,onefootuponhisknee。
Andwheretheywrought,theselivesofours,Somany—worded,many—souled,ANorth—westwindwilltakethetowers,Anddarkwithcolour,sunnyandcold,Willrangealoneamongtheflowers。
Andhereorthere,atourdesire,ThelittleclamorousowlshallsitThroughherstilltime;andweaspireTomakealaw(andknownotit)
Untothelifeofawildbriar。
Ourpurposeisdistinctanddear,Thoughfromouropeneyes’tishidden。
Thou,Time—to—come,shaltmakeitclear,Undoingourwork;wearechildrenchiddenWithpityandsmilesofmanyayear。
Whoshallallotthepraise,andguessWhatpartisyoursandwhatisours?—
OyearsthatcertainlywillblessOurflowerswithfruits,ourseedswithflowers,Withruinallourperfectness。
Bepatient,Time,ofourdelays,Toohappyhopes,andwastedfears,Ourfaithfulways,ourwilfulways,Solaceourlabours,OourseersTheseasons,andourbardsthedays;
AndmakeourpauseandsilencebrimWiththeshrillchildren’splay,andsweetsOfthosepatheticflowersanddim,OfthoseeternalflowersmyKeatsDyingfeltgrowingoverhim。
SONNET
TouchedtheheartthatlovedmeasaplayerTouchesalyre;contentwithmypoorskillNotouchsavemineknewmybeloved(andstillIthoughtattimes:IstherenosweetlostairOldlovescouldwakeinhim,Icannotshare?)。
Oh,healone,alonecouldsofulfilMythoughtsinsoundtothemeasureofmywill。
Heisgone,andsilencetakesmeunaware。
ThesongsIknewnotheresumes,setfreeFrommyconstraininglove,alasforme!
Hispartinourtunegoeswithhim;mypartIslockedinmeforever;IstandasmuteAsonewithfullstrongmusicinhisheartWhosefingersstrayuponashatteredlute。
SONGOFTHEDAYTOTHENIGHT
THEPOETSINGSTOHISPOET
Fromdawntodusk,andfromdusktodawn,Wetwoaresunderedalways,sweet。
Afewstarsshakeo’ertherockylawnAndthecoldsea—shorewhenwemeet。
Thetwilightcomeswiththyshadowyfeet。
Wearenotdayandnight,myFair,Butone。Itisanhourofhours。
AndthoughtsthatarenototherwhereArethoughthere’midtheblownsea—flowers,Thismeetingandthisduskofours。
DelighthastakenPaintoherheart,Andthereisduskandstarsforthese。
Oh,linger,linger!Theywouldnotpart;
Andthewildwindcomesfromover—seasWithanewsongtotheolivetrees。
AndwhenwemeetbythesoundingpineSleepdrawsneartohisdreamlessbrother。
Andwhenthysweeteyesanswermine,Peacenestlesclosetohermournfulmother,AndHopeandWearinesskisseachother。
’SOEURMONIQUE’
ARONDEAUBYCOUPERIN
Quietformofsilentnun,Whathasgivenyoutomyinwardeyes?
Whathasmarkedyou,unknownone,InthethrongsofcenturiesThatmineearsdolistenthrough?
Thisoldmaster’smelodyThatexpressesyou,Thisadmiredsimplicity,Tender,withaseriouswit,Andtwowords,thenameofit,’SoeurMonique。’
Andifsadthemusicis,ItissadwithmysteriesOfasmallimmortalthingThatthepassingagessing,—
SimplemusicmakingmirthOfthedyingandthebirthOfthepeopleoftheearth。
No,notsad;wearebeguiled,Sadwithlivingasweare;
Oursthesorrow,outpouringSadselfonaselflessthing,AsoureyesandheartsaremildWithoursympathyforSpring,WithapitysweetandwildFortheinnocentandfar,Withoursadnessinastar,Oroursadnessinachild。
Buttwowords,andthissweetair。
SoeurMonique,Hadhemore,whosetyouthere?
Washismusic—dreamofyouOfsomeperfectnunheknew,Orofsomeideal,astrue?
AndIseeyouwhereyoustandWithyourlifeheldinyourhandAsarosaryofdays。
Andyourthoughtsincalmarrays,AndyourinnocentprayersaretoldOnyourrosaryofdays。
AndtheyoungdaysandtheoldWiththeirquietprayersdidmeetWhenthechapletwascomplete。
Diditvexyou,thesurmiseOfthiswindofwords,thisstormofcries,ThoughyoukeptthesilencesoInthestormsoflongago,Andyoukeepit,likeastar?
—Oftheevilstriumphing,Strong,forallyourperfectconquering,Silencedconquerorthatyouare?
AndIwonderatyourpeace,Iwonder。
Wouldittroubleyoutoknow,Tendersoul,theworldandsinByyourcalmfeettroddenunderLongago,Livingnow,mightytowin?
Andyourfeetarevanishedlikethesnow。
Vanished;butthepoet,heInwhosedreamyourfaceappears,HewhorangesunknownyearsWithyourmusicinhisheart,SpeakstoyoufamiliarlyWhereyoukeepapart,Andinventsyouasyouwere。
Andyourpicture,Omynun!
Isastrangelyeasyone,Fortheholyweedyouwear,Foryourhiddeneyesandhiddenhair,AndinpicturingyouImayScarcelygoastray。
Othevaguereality!
Themysteriouscertainty!
OstrangetruthofthesemyguessesInthewidethought—wildernesses!
—Truthofonedivinedofmanyflowers;
OfoneraindropintheshowersOfthelong—agoswiftrain;
OfonetearofmanytearsInsomeworld—renownedpain;
Ofonedaisy’midthecenturiesofsun;
OfalittlelivingnunInthegardenoftheyears。
Yes,Iamnotfarastray;
ButIguessyouasmightonePausingwhenyoungMarchisgrey,Inaviolet—peopledday;
Allhisthoughtsgoouttoplacesthatheknew,Tohischild—homeinthesun,Tothefieldsofhisregret,Tooneplacei’theinnocentMarchair,Byoneolive,andinventThefamiliarformandscentSafely;awhitevioletCertainlyisthere。
SoeurMonique,rememberme。
’TisnotinthepastaloneIampicturingyoutobe;
Butmylittlefriend,myown,Inmymoment,prayforme。
Foranotherdreamismine,Andanotherdreamistrue,Sweetereven,OfthelittleonesthatshineLostwithinthelightdivine,—
Ofsomemeekestflower,oryou,InthefieldsofHeaven。
INEARLYSPRING
OSpring,Iknowthee!SeekforsweetsurpriseIntheyoungchildren’seyes。
ButIhavelearnttheyears,andknowtheyetLeaf—foldedviolet。
Mineear,awaketosilence,canforetellThecuckoo’sfitfulbell。
IwanderinagreytimethatenclosesJuneandthewildhedge—roses。
Ayear’sprocessionoftheflowersdothpassMyfeet,alongthegrass。
Andallyousweetbirdssilentyet,IknowThenotesthatstiryouso,YoursongsyethalfdevisedinthedimdearBeginningsoftheyear。
Intheseyoungdaysyoumeditateyourpart;
Ihaveitallbyheart。
IknowthesecretsoftheseedsofflowersHiddenandwarmwithshowers,Andhow,inkindlingSpring,thecuckooshallAlterhisinterval。
ButnotaflowerorsongIponderisMyown,butmemory’s。
IshallbesilentinthosedaysdesiredBeforeaworldinspired。
Odearbrownbirds,composeyouroldsong—phrasesEarth,thyfamiliardaisies。
Thepoetmusedupontheduskyheight,Betweentwostarstowardsnight,Hispurposeinhisheart。Iwatched,aspace,Themeaningofhisface:
Therewasthesecret,fledfromearthandskies,Hidinhisgreyyoungeyes。
MyheartandalltheSummerwaithischoice,Andwonderforhisvoice。
Whoshallforetellhissongs,andwhoaspireButtodivinehislyre?
Sweetearth,weknowthydimmestmysteries,Butheislordofhis。
PARTED
Farewelltoonenowsilencedquite,Sentoutofhearing,outofsight,—
Myfriendoffriends,whomIshallmiss。
Heisnotbanished,though,forthis,—
Norhe,norsadness,nordelight。
ThoughIshallwalkwithhimnomore,Alowvoicesoundsupontheshore。
Hemustnotwatchmyresting—placeButwhoshalldriveamournfulfaceFromthesadwindsaboutmydoor?
Ishallnothearhisvoicecomplain,Butwhoshallstopthepatientrain?
Histearsmustnotdisturbmyheart,Butwhoshallchangetheyears,andpartTheworldfromeverythoughtofpain?
Althoughmylifeisleftsodim,Themorningcrownsthemountain—rim;
Joyisnotgonefromsummerskies,Norinnocencefromchildren’seyes,Andallthesethingsarepartofhim。
Heisnotbanished,fortheshowersYetwakethisgreenwarmearthofours。
Howcanthesummerbutbesweet?
Ishallnothavehimatmyfeet,Andyetmyfeetareontheflowers。
REGRETS
As,whentheseawardebbingtidedothpourOutbythelowsandspaces,ThepartingwavesslipbacktoclasptheshoreWithlingeringembraces,—
SointhetideoflifethatcarriesmeFromwherethytrueheartdwells,WavesofmythoughtsandmemoriesturntotheeWithlesseningfarewells;
Wavingofhands;dreams,whenthedayforgets;
Acarehalflostincares;
Thesaddestofmyverses;dimregrets;
Thynameamongmyprayers。
Iwouldthedaymightcome,sowaitedfor,Sopatientlybesought,WhenI,returning,shouldfilluponcemoreThydesolatedthought;
AndfillthylonelinessthatliesapartInstill,persistentpain。
ShallIcontentthee,Othoubrokenheart,Asthetidecomesagain,Andbrimsthelittlesea—shorelakes,andsetsSeaweedsafloat,andfillsThesilentpools,riversandrivuletsAmongtheinlandhills?
SONG
MyFair,nobeautyofthinewilllastSaveinmylove’seternity。
Thysmiles,thatlighttheefitfully,Arelostforever——theirmomentpast—
Exceptthefewthougivesttome。
Thysweetwordsvanishdaybyday,Asallbreathofmortality;
Thylaughter,done,mustceasetobe,Andallthydeartonespassaway,Exceptthefewthatsingtome。
Hidethenwithinmyheart,oh,hideAllthouartlothshouldgofromthee。
Bekindertothyselfandme。
Mycupfulfromthisriver’stideShallneverreachthelongsadsea。
SONNET——INFEBRUARY
Richmeaningsoftheprophet—Springadorn,Unseen,thiscolourlessskyoffoldedshowers,Andfoldedwinds;noblossominthebowers。
Apoet’sfaceasleepisthisgreymorn。
NowinthemidstoftheoldworldforlornAmysticchildissetinthesestillhours。
Ikeepthistime,evenbeforetheflowers,Sacredtoalltheyoungandtheunborn;
Toallthemilesandmilesofunsprungwheat,AndtotheSpringwaitingbeyondtheportal,Andtothefutureofmyownyoungart,And,amongallthesethings,toyou,mysweet,Myfriend,toyourcalmfaceandtheimmortalChildtarryingallyourlife—timeinyourheart。
SANLORENZOGIUSTINIANI’SMOTHER
Ihadnotseenmyson’sdearface(HechosethecloisterbyGod’sgrace)
Sinceithadcometofullflower—time。
Ihardlyguessedatitsperfectprime,Thatfoldedflowerofhisdearface。
MineeyeswereveiledbymistsoftearsWhenonadayinmanyyearsOneofhisOrdercame。Ithrilled,Facing,Ithought,thatfacefulfilled。
Idoubted,formymistsoftears。
Hisblessingbewithmeforever!
Myhopeanddoubtwerehardtosever。
—Thatalteredface,thoseholyweeds。
Ifilledhiswalletandkissedhisbeads,Andlosthisechoingfeetforever。
IftomysonmyalmsweregivenIknownot,andIwaitforHeaven。
Hedidnotpleadforchildofmine,ButforanotherChilddivine,AnduntoHimitwassurelygiven。
ThereisOnealonewhocannotchange;
Dreamsarewe,shadows,visionsstrange;
AndallIgiveisgiventoOne。
Imightmistakemydearestson,ButnevertheSonwhocannotchange。
SONNET——THELOVEOFNARCISSUS
Likehimwhomethisowneyesintheriver,ThepoettremblesathisownlonggazeThatmeetshimthroughthechangingnightsanddaysFromoutgreatNature;allherwatersquiverWithhisfairimagefacinghimforever;
ThemusicthathelistenstobetraysHisownhearttohisears;bytracklesswaysHiswildthoughtstendtohiminlongendeavour。
Hisdreamsarefaramongthesilenthills;
HisvaguevoicecallshimfromthedarkenedplainWithwindsatnight;strangerecognitionthrillsHislonelyheartwithpiercingloveandpain;
Heknowshissweetmirthinthemountainrills,Hiswearytearsthattouchhimwiththerain。
TOALOSTMELODY
Thouartnotdead,Osweetlostmelody,Sungbeyondmemory,WhengoldentothewindsthisworldofoursWavedwildwithboundlessflowers;
Sunginsomepastwhenwildernesseswere,—
Notdead,notdead,lostair!
Yetintheageslongwherelurkestthou,Andwhatsoulknowstheenow?
WertthounotgiventosweeteneverywindFromthato’erburdenedmindThatboretheethroughtheyoungworld,andthattongueBywhichthoufirstwertsung?
Wasnottheholychoirtheendlessdome,Andnatureallthyhome?
Didnotthewarmgaleclasptheetohisbreast。
Lullingthystormstorest?
AndistheJuneairladenwiththeenow,Passingthesummer—bough?
Andisthedawn—windonalonelyseaBalmywiththoughtsofthee?
Torockondaybreakwindsdostthourejoice,AsfirstonhisstrongvoiceWhoseradiantmorningsouldidgivetheebirth,Gavetheetoheavenandearth?
OrdideachbirdwinonedearnoteoftheeTopipeeternally?
Artthouthesecretofthesmallfield—flowersNoddingthytimeforhours,—Blownbythehappywindsfromhilltohill,Andsuchasecretstill?
OrwertthouraptawhiletootherspheresTogladdentendererears?
Dothmusic’ssoulcontainthee,preciousair,Sleepestthouclaspedthere,UntilatimeshallcomefortheetostartIntosomeunbornheart?
Thenwiltthouasthecloudsofagesroll,Thoumigratorysoul,Amidadifferent,wilder,wilderness—Incrowdsthatthrongandpress,RevivethyblessedcadencesforgottenInsomesoulnew—begotten?
Oh,wiltthouevertireofthylongrestOnnature’ssilentbreast?
Andwiltthouleavethyrainbowshowers,tobearApartinhumancare?
—ForsakethyboundlesssilencetomakechoiceOfsomepatheticvoice?
—Forsakethystars,thysuns,thymoons,thyskiesForman’sdesiringsighs?
SONNET——THEPOETTONATURE
Ihavenosecretsfromthee,lyresublime,MylyrewhereofImakemymelody。
Isingonewaylikethewestwindthroughthee,Withmywholeheart,andhearthysweetstringschime。
Butthou,whosoundestinmytuneandrhyme,HasttonesIwakenot,inthylandandsea,Lovelinessnotforme,secretsfromme,Thoughtsforanother,andanothertime。
Andas,thewestwindpassed,thesouthwindaltersHisintimatesweetthings,hishuesofnoon,Thevoicesofhiswaves,soundofhispine,Themeaningsofhislostheart,——thisthoughtfaltersInmyshortsong——’AnotherbardshalltuneThee,myoneLyre,toothersongsthanmine。’
THEPOETTOHISCHILDHOOD
InmythoughtIseeyoustandwithapathoneitherhand,—Hillsthatlookintothesun,andthereariver’dmeadow—land。
Andyourlostvoicewiththethingsthatitdecreedacrossmethrills,Whenyouthought,andchosethehills。
’Ifitprovealifeofpain,greaterhaveIjudgedthegain。
Withasingingsoulformusic’ssake,Iclimbandmeettherain,AndIchoose,whilstIamcalm,mythoughtandlabouringtobeUnconsoledbysympathy。’
Buthowdaredyouusemeso?ForyoubringmyripeyearslowToyourchild’swhimandadestinyyourchild—soulcouldnotknow。
AndthatsmallvoicelegislatingIrevoltagainst,withtears。
Butyoumarknot,throughtheyears。
’Tothemountainleadsmyway。Iftheplainsaregreento—day,Thesemybarrenhillsareflushingfaintly,strangely,intheMay,WiththepresenceoftheSpringamongstthesmallestflowersthatgrow。’
Butthesummerinthesnow?
Doyouknow,whoaresobold,howinsooththerulewillhold,Settledbyawaywardchild’sidealatsometenyearsold?
—Howthehumanarmsyouslipfrom,thoughtsandloveyoustaynotfor,Willnotopentoyoumore?
Youwererashthen,littlechild,fortheskieswithstormsarewild,Andyoufacedthedimhorizonwithitswhirlofmists,andsmiled,Climbedalittlehigher,lonelier,inthesolitarysun,Tofeelhowthewindscameon。
Butyoursunnysilencethere,solitudesolighttobear,Willbecomealongdumbworldupinthecoldersadderair,AndthelittlemournfullonelinessesinthelittlehillsWiderwildernessfulfils。
Andife’eryoushouldcomedowntothevillageorthetown,Withthecoldrainforyourgarland,andthewindforyourrenown,Youwillstanduponthethresholdswithafaceordumbdesire,Norbeknownbyanyfire。
Itismemorythatshrinks。Youwerealltoobrave,methinks,Climbingsolitudesoffloweringcistusandthethinwildpinks,Musing,settingtoahauntingairinonevaguereverieAllthelifethatwastobe。
WithasmiledoIcomplaininthesafetyofthepain,Knowingthatmyfeetcanneverquittheirsolitudesagain;
Butregretmayturnwithlongingtothatonehour’schoiceyouhad,Whenthesilencebroodethsad。
IrebelNOT,childgoneby,butobeyyouwonderingly,Foryouknewnot,youngrashspeaker,allyouspoke,andnowwillI,Withthelife,andallthelonelinessrevealedthatyouthoughtfit,SingtheAmen,knowingit。
SONNET
Apoetofonemoodinallmylays,Rangingalllifetosingoneonlylove,LikeawestwindacrosstheworldImove,Sweepingmyharpoffloodsmineownwildways。
Thecountrieschange,butnotthewest—winddaysWhicharemysongs。Mysoftskiesshineabove,Andonallseasthecoloursofadove,Andonallfieldsaflashofsilvergreys。
ImakethewholeworldanswertomyartAndsweetmonotonousmeanings。InyourearsIchangenotever,bearing,formypart,Onethoughtthatisthetreasureofmyyears,AsmallcloudfullofrainuponmyheartAndinminearms,clasped,likeachildintears。
ANUNMARKEDFESTIVAL
There’safeastundatedyet:
Bothourtruelivesholditfast,—
Thefirstdayweevermet。
Whatagreatdaycameandpassed!
—Unknownthen,butknownatlast。
Andwemet:Youknewnotme,Mistressofyourjoysandfears;
HeldmyhandsthatheldthekeyOfthetreasureofyouryears,Ofthefountainofyourtears。
ForyouknewnotitwasI,AndIknewnotitwasyou。
Wehavelearnt,asdayswentby。
ButaflowerstruckrootandgrewUnderground,andnooneknew。
Daysofdays!Unmarkeditrose,Inwhosehoursweweretomeet;
Andforgottenpassed。Whoknows,Wasearthcoldorsunny,Sweet,Atthecomingofyourfeet?
Onemereday,wethought;themeasureOfsuchdaystheyearfulfils。
Now,howdearlywouldwetreasureSomethingfromitsfields,itsrills,Anditsmemorablehills;
—Butoneleafofoakorlime,OroneblossomfromitsbowersNoonegatheredatthetime。
Oh,tokeepthatdayofoursByonerelicofitsflowers!
SONNET——THENEOPHYTE
WhoknowswhatdaysIanswerforto—day:
GivingthebudIgivetheflower。IbowThisyetunfadedandafadedbrow;
Bendingthesekneesandfeebleknees,Ipray。
ThoughtsyetunripeinmeIbendoneway,GiveonereposetopainIknownotnow,Oneleaventojoythatcomes,Iguessnothow。
IdedicatemyfieldswhenSpringisgrey。
Oh,rash!(Ismile)topledgemyhiddenwheat。
Ifoldto—dayataltarsfarapartHandstremblingwithwhattoils?IntheirretreatIsealmyloveto—be,myfoldedart。
Ilightthetapersatmyheadandfeet,Andlaythecrucifixonthissilentheart。
SONNET——SPRINGONTHEALBANHILLS
O’ertheCampagnaitisdimwarmweather;
TheSpringcomeswithafullheartsilently,Andmanythoughts;afaintflashoftheseaDividestwomists;straightfallsthefallingfeather。
WithwildSpringmeaningshillandplaintogetherGrowpale,orjustflushwithadustofflowers。
Romeintheages,dimmedwithallhertowers,Floatsinthemidst,alittlecloudattether。
Ifainwouldputmyhandsaboutthyface,Thouwiththythoughts,whoartanotherSpring,Anddrawtheetomelikeamournfulchild。
Thoulookestonmefromanotherplace;
Itouchnotthisday’ssecret,northethingThatinthesilencemakesthysweeteyeswild。
SONGOFTHENIGHTATDAYBREAK
Allmystarsforsakeme,Andthedawn—windsshakeme。
WhereshallIbetakeme?
WhithershallIrunTillthesetofsun,Tillthedaybedone?
Tothemountain—mine,Totheboughso’thepine,Totheblindman’seyne,ToabrowthatisBowedupontheknees,Sickwithmemories。
SONNET——TOADAISY
Slightasthouart,thouartenoughtohide,Likeallcreatedthings,secretsfromme,Andstandabarriertoeternity。
AndI,howcanIpraisetheewellandwideFromwhereIdwell——uponthehitherside?
Thoulittleveilforsogreatmystery,WhenshallIpenetrateallthingsandthee,Andthenlookback?ForthisImustabide,TillthoushaltgrowandfoldandbeunfurledLiterallybetweenmeandtheworld。
ThenIshalldrinkfrominbeneathaspring,Andfromapoet’ssideshallreadhisbook。
Odaisymine,whatwillitbetolookFromGod’ssideevenofsuchasimplething?
SONNET——TOONEPOEMINASILENTTIME
Wholookedforthee,thoulittlesongofmine?
Thiswinterofasilentpoet’sheartIssuddenlysweetwiththee,butwhatthouart,Mid—winterflower,IwouldIcoulddivine。
Artthoualastone,orphanofthyline?
Didthedeadsummer’slastwarmthfosterthee?
OrisSpringfoldedupunguessedinme,Andstirringoutofsight,——andthouthesign?
WhereshallIlook——backwardsortothemorrowForothersofthyfragrance,secretchild?
Whoknowsiflastthingsoriffirstthingsclaimthee?
—Whetherthoubethelastsmileofmysorrow,Orelseajoytoosweet,ajoytoowild?
How,myDecemberviolet,shallInamethee?
FUTUREPOETRY
NonewdelightstoourdesireThesingersofthepastcanyield。
Iliftmineeyestohillandfield,Andseeinthemyouryetdumblyre,Poetsunbornandunrevealed。
Singerstocome,whatthoughtswillstartTosong?whatwordsofyoursbesentThroughman’ssoul,andwithearthbeblent?
TheseworldsofnatureandtheheartAwaityoulikeaninstrument。
WhoknowswhatmusicalflocksofwordsUponthesepine—treetopswilllight,AndcrownthesetowersincirclingflightAndcrosstheseseaslikesummerbirds,Andgiveavoicetothedayandnight?
Somethingofyoualreadyisours;
SomemysticpartofyoubelongsTouswhosedreamsyourfuturethrongs,Wholookonhills,andtrees,andflowers,Whichwillmeansomuchinyoursongs。
Iwonder,likethemaidwhofound,Andknelttolift,thelyresupremeOfOrpheusfromtheThracianstream。
Shedreamsonitssealedpastprofound;
OnadeepfuturesealedIdream。
ShebearsitinherwanderingsWithinherarms,andhasnotpressedHerunskilledfingers,butherbreastUponthosesilentsacredstrings;
I,too,claspmysticstringsatrest。
ForI,i’theworldoflandsandseas,Theskyofwindandrainandfire,Andinman’sworldoflongdesire—
Inallthatisyetdumbinthese—
Havefoundamoremysteriouslyre。
THEPOETSINGSTOHERPOET
THEMOONTOTHESUN
AsthefullmoonshiningthereTothesunthatlightethherAmIuntotheeforever,Omysecretglory—giver!
Omylight,Iamdarkbutfair,Blackbutfair。
Shine,Earthlovesthee!AndthenshineAndbelovedthroughthoughtsofmine。
AllthysecretsthatItreasureItranslatethematmypleasure。
Iamcrownedwithgloryofthine。
Thine,notthine。
Imakepensivethydelight,Andthystronggoldsilver—white。
Thoughallbeautyofninethoumakest,YettoearthwhichthouforsakestIhavemadetheefairallnight,Dayallnight。
APOET’SSONNET
IfIshouldquitthee,sacrifice,forswear,Towhat,myart,shallIgivetheeinkeeping?
Tothelongwindsofheaven?ShallthesecomesweepingMysongsforgoneagainstmyfaceandhair?
Orshallthemountainstreamsmylostjoysbear,Mypastpoeticpainintherainbeweeping?
No,Ishallliveapoetwaking,sleeping,AndIshalldieapoetunaware。
Fromme,myart,thoucanstnotpassaway;
AndI,asingerthoughIceasetosing,Shallowntheewithoutjoyintheeorwoe。
Throughmyindifferentwordsofeveryday,ScatteredandallunlinkedtherhymesshallringAndmakemypoem;andIshallnotknow。
THEMODERNPOET
ASONGOFDERIVATIONS
Icomefromnothing;butfromwhereCometheundyingthoughtsIbear?
Down,throughlonglinksofdeathandbirth,Fromthepastpoetsoftheearth。
Myimmortalityisthere。
Iamliketheblossomofanhour。
Butlong,longvanishedsunandshowerAwokemybreathi’theyoungworld’sair。
ItrackthepastbackeverywhereThroughseedandflowerandseedandflower。
OrIamlikeastreamthatflowsFullofthecoldspringsthataroseInmorninglands,indistanthills;
AnddowntheplainmychannelfillsWithmeltingofforgottensnows。
Voices,Ihavenotheard,possessedMyownfreshsongs;mythoughtsareblessedWithrelicsofthefarunknown。
AndmixedwithmemoriesnotmyownThesweetstreamsthrongintomybreast。
Beforethislifebegantobe,ThehappysongsthatwakeinmeWokelongagoandfarapart。
HeavilyonthislittleheartPressesthisimmortality。
AFTERAPARTING
Farewellhaslongbeensaid;Ihaveforgonethee;
Inevernametheeeven。
ButhowshallIlearnvirtuesandyetshunthee?
ForthouartsonearHeavenThatheavenwardmeditationspauseuponthee。
Thoudostbesetthepathtoeveryshrine;
MytremblingthoughtsdiscernThygoodnessinthegoodforwhichIpine;
AndifIturnfrombutonesin,IturnUntoasmileofthine。
HowshallIthrusttheeapartSinceallmygrowthtendstotheenightandday—
Totheefaith,hope,andart?
Swiftarethecurrentssettingalloneway;
Theydrawmylife,mylife,outofmyheart。
RENOUNCEMENT
Imustnotthinkofthee;and,tiredyetstrong,Ishunthethoughtthatlurksinalldelight—
Thethoughtofthee——andintheblueHeaven’sheight,Andinthesweetestpassageofasong。
Oh,justbeyondthefairestthoughtsthatthrongThisbreast,thethoughtoftheewaits,hiddenyetbright;
Butitmustnever,nevercomeinsight;
Imuststopshortoftheethewholedaylong。
Butwhensleepcomestocloseeachdifficultday,WhennightgivespausetothelongwatchIkeep,AndallmybondsIneedsmustlooseapart,Mustdoffmywillasraimentlaidaway,—
WiththefirstdreamthatcomeswiththefirstsleepIrun,Irun,Iamgatheredtothyheart。
VENICREATOR
SohumblethingsThouhastborneforus,OGod,Left’stThouapathoflowlinessuntrod?
Yes,one,tillnow;anotherOlive—Garden。
Forweendurethetenderpainofpardon,—
Onewithanotherweforbear。Giveheed,LookatthemournfulworldThouhastdecreed。
Thetimehascome。AtlastwehaplessmenKnowallourhaplessnessallthrough。Come,then,Endureundreamedhumility:LordofHeaven,Cometoourignorantheartsandbeforgiven。