A Midday in Midsummer
|
|
THE sky’s great curtains downward steal,
The earth’s fair company
Of trees and streams and meadows feel
A sense of privacy.
Upon the vast expanse of heat |
5 |
Light-footed breezes pace;
To waves of gold they tread the wheat,
They lift the sunflower’s face.
The cruel sun is blotted out,
The west is black with rain, |
10 |
The drooping leaves in mingled doubt
And hope look up again.
The weeds and grass on tiptoe stand,
A strange exultant thrill
Prepares the dazed uncertain land |
15 |
For the wild tempest’s will.
The wind grows big and breathes aloud
As it runs hurrying past;
At one sharp blow the thunder-cloud
Lets loose the furious blast. [Page 33] |
20 |
The earth is beaten, drenched and drowned,
The elements go mad;
Swift streams of joy flow o’er the ground,
And all the leaves are glad.
Then comes a momentary lull, |
25 |
The darkest clouds are furled,
And lo, new washed and beautiful
And breathless gleams the world. [Page 34] |
|
|
