Volume Ii Part 158 (1/2)
THE REASON
Oh, hark the pulses of the night, The crickets hidden in the field, That beat out music of delight Till summoned dawn stands half revealed!
Oh, mark above the bearded corn And the green wheat and bending rye, Tuned to the earth, and calling morn, The stars vibrating in the sky!
And know, divided soul of me, Here in the meadow, sweet in speech, This perfect night could never be Were we not mated each to each.
James Oppenheim [1882-1932]
”MY OWN CAILIN DONN”
The blush is on the flower, and the bloom is on the tree, And the bonnie, bonnie sweet birds are caroling their glee; And the dews upon the gra.s.s are made diamonds by the sun, All to deck a path of glory for my own Cailin Donn!
Oh fair she is! Oh rare she is! Oh dearer still to me, More welcome than the green leaf to winter-stricken tree!
More welcome than the blossom to the weary, dusty bee, Is the coming of my true love--my own Cailin Donn!
O sycamore! O sycamore! wave, wave your banners green!
Let all your pennons flutter, O beech! before my queen!
Ye fleet and honeyed breezes, to kiss her hand ye run; But my heart has pa.s.sed before ye to my own Cailin Donn.
Ring out, ring out, O linden, your merry leafy bells!
Unveil your brilliant torches, O chestnut! to the dells; Strew, strew the glade with splendor, for morn it cometh on!
Oh, the morn of all delight to me--my own Cailin Donn!
She is coming, where we parted, where she wanders every day; There's a gay surprise before her who thinks me far away; Oh, like hearing bugles triumph when the fight of freedom's won, Is the joy around your footsteps, my own Cailin Donn!
George Sigerson [1839-1925]
NOCTURNE
All the earth a hush of white, White with moonlight all the skies; Wonder of a winter night-- And... your eyes.
Hues no palette dares to claim Where the spoils of sunken s.h.i.+ps Leap to light in singing flame-- And... your lips.
Darkness as the shadows creep Where the embers sigh to rest; Silence of a world asleep-- And... your breast.
Amelia Josephine Burr [1878-
SURRENDER