Part 1 (1/2)

Fires of Driftwood.

by Isabel Ecclestone Mackay.

Fires of Driftwood

ON what long tides Do you drift to my fire, You waifs of strange waters?

From what far seas, What murmurous sands, What desolate beaches-- Flotsam of those glories that were s.h.i.+ps!

I gather you, Bitter with salt, Sun-bleached, rock-scarred, moon-harried, Fuel for my fire.

You are Pride's end.

Through all to-morrows you are yesterday.

You are waste, You are ruin, For where is that which once you were?

I gather you.

See! I set free the fire within you-- You awake in thin flame!

Tremulous, mistlike, your soul aspires, Blue, beautiful, Up and up to the clouds which are its kindred!

What is left is nothing-- Ashes blown along the sh.o.r.e!

When as a Lad

WHEN, as a lad, at break of day I watched the fishers sail away, My thoughts, like flocking birds, would follow Across the curving sky's blue hollow, And on and on-- Into the very heart of dawn!

For long I searched the world--ah, me!

I searched the sky, I searched the sea, With much of useless grief and rueing Those winged thoughts of mine pursuing-- So dear were they, So lovely and so far away!

I seek them still and always must Until my laggard heart is dust And I am free to follow, follow, Across the curving sky's blue hollow, Those thoughts too fleet For any save the soul's swift feet!

Laureate

DEATH met a little child who cried For a bright star which earth denied, And Death, so sympathetic, kissed it, Saying: ”With me All bright things be!”-- And only the child's mother missed it.

Death met a maiden on the brae, Her eyes held dreams life would betray, And gallant Death was greatly taken-- ”Leave,” whispered he, ”Your dream with me And I will see you never waken.”

Death met an old man in a lane; So gnarled was he and full of pain That kindly Death was struck with pity-- ”Come you with me, Old man,” said he, ”I'll set you down in a fair city.”

So, kingly Death along the way Scatters rare gifts and asks no pay-- Yet who to Death will write a sonnet?

If any dare, Let him take care No foolish tear be spilled upon it!