January 1, 1942
The Skaters
I stood among my sheep As silent as my staff; Up the sea’s massy floor I saw the skaters pass. Long like the wind, as light I flowed upon their […]
January 1, 1942
On Darkness, on Evil, on Night, Etc.
Let those of poor energy Fear night. Not I. Night does so unmake me Into purity of disparate parts, where I lie Sleeping my wrong dreams my Bad fears that […]
July 1, 1941
Summer Day
Now the white heron streams in pallid motion Shapeless as snow to this earth’s eye, But he in the bright gold light beaming Is motion made all probable. Earth turns, […]
July 1, 1941
The Pattern
Now the rain crow’s crying, now the rose petal falls, And these are two separate pursuits to the end As now the rain crow’s crying, as now the rose Loosens […]
July 1, 1939
Letter to His Brother
The night is on these hills, and some can sleep.Some stare into the dark, some walk.Only the sound of glasses and of talk,Of cracking logs, and of a few who […]
July 1, 1939
Nineteen Thirty-Eight
Across the frontiers of the helpless worldThe great planes swarm, the carriers of death,Germs in the healthy body of the air,And blast our cities where we stand in talk By doomed […]
April 1, 1939
The Interrupted Concert
From the Spanish. The sleepy frozen caldronOf the half moonBroke the harmonyOf the deep night. The ditches, musty with sedge,Protest in silence,And the frogs, muezzins of shadow,Keep very still. […]
April 1, 1939
Walking Asleep
From the Spanish. Green as I would have you be,Green wind. Green boughs.The boat on the sea,And the horse on the mountain.With shadow at her waist,She dreams at the […]
January 1, 1939
The Dandelion Girls
As home-made candles with fuzzy wicksBent birches sprout out of a knobWhere brilliant clouds have surged away —Clouds are luxuriantly grey. Slackly curling below this knobA stagnant brook is stiff […]
January 1, 1939
The Cities’ Summer Death
The summer hospital enframesIn its fashionable windowsBoats brow-beaten by varnished stormsAnd curbed-off grass where no cows browse. Grandfather feathery as thoughtFurls his flurried wrapper and floatsOff his adjustable bedWafted on […]