The Dreamers | Page 6

BOATS
I saw the old sea captain in his city daughter's house, Shaved till his chin was pink, and brushed till his hair was flat, In a broadcloth suit and varnished boots and a collar up to his ears. (I'd seen him last with a slicker on and a tied down oilskin hat.)
And it happened that I went home last June, and saw in Mallory's yard The old red dory that sprung a leak a couple of years ago, Dragged out of good salt water and braced to stand in the grass And be filled with dirt from stem to stern, where posies and such
could grow.
Painted to beat the band, with vines strung over the sides And red geraniums in the bow,--a boat that was built for water Made into a flower garden. I looked, but I didn't laugh, For I thought of the old sea captain living in town with his daughter.
BEAUTY
Sometimes, slow moving through unlovely days,?The need to look on beauty falls on me?As on the blind the anguished wish to see,?As on the dumb the urge to rage or praise;?Beauty of marble where the eyes may gaze?Till soothed to peace by white serenity,?Or canvas where one master hand sets free?Great colours that like angels blend and blaze.
O, there be many starved in this strange wise--?For this diviner food their days deny,?Knowing beyond their vision beauty stands?With pitying eyes--with tender, outstretched hands,?Eager to give to every passer-by?The loveliness that feeds a soul's demands.
A SONG
I am as weary as a child?That weeps upon its mother's breast?For joy of comforting. But I?Have no such place to rest.
I am as weary as a bird?Blown by wild winds far out to sea?When it regains its nest. But, Oh,?There waits no nest for me.
What think you may sustain the bird?That finds no housing after flight??And what the little child console?Who weeps alone at night?
MOTHERS OF MEN
Mothers of men--the words are good indeed in the saying, Pride in the very sound of them, strength in the sense of them, then Why is it their faces haunt me, wistful faces as praying Ever some dear thing vanished and ever a hope delaying,
Mothers of Men?
Mothers of Men, most patient, tenderly slow to discover The loss of the old allegiance that may not return again. You give a man to the world, you give a woman a lover-- Where is your solace then when the time of giving is over,
Mothers of Men?
Mothers of Men, but surely, the title is worth the earning. You who are brave in feigning must I ever behold you then By the door of an empty heart with the lamp of faith still burning, Watching the ways of life for the sight of a child returning,
Mothers of Men?
LOVELACE GROWN OLD
I
My life has been like a bee that roves?Through a scented garden close,?And 'tis I who have kept the honey of love,?The hoarded sweetness and scent thereof,?For all I forget the rose.
Oh, exquisite gardens long forgot?That have made my store complete,?Though winter fall upon blossom and bee,?Yet the kisses I garnered remain with me?Forever and ever sweet.
II
The Priest hath had his word and said his say--?A word i' faith more honest than beguiling--?But now he turns upon his gloomy way--?Good soul, he leaves me smiling.
I may not ponder much on future wrath;?Of all those loves of mine, some six or seven,?Surely ere this have climbed that thorny path?That leads at last to Heaven.
My bold, brown beauties, eh, my delicate?And golden damsels with uncensuring eyes,?Not long once did you make your Lovelace wait?Outside of Paradise.
Much am I minded of a certain night--?A night of moon and drifting clouds that hid?The convent wall from overmuch of light?Whereby one watched forbid.
Watched, till he heard within the trembling sound?Of white, girl fingers on the rusting key?That turned her heart as well, till each unbound?Let in felicity.
Ah well, I have small fear--her eyes were blue;?Blue eyes remember though it cost them tears.?Who knows but that same hand shall lead me through?Another Gate of Fears.
In the same fashion, brave, yet most afraid,?Bold for her love yet trembling for her sin--?So, Saints were tricked before. My blue-eyed maid,?Be there to let me in.
III
Since I loved you for a day--Ah, a day, the fleetest--?Since I sighed and rode away when our love was sweetest, So shall you remember me, now that youth is over,?Fairly, of your courtesy, as your fondest lover.
Since I turned and said good-bye when my heart was truest, Since we parted, you and I, when our joy was newest,?Love might never turn to doubt and from doubt to scorning. We but lived his sweetness out twixt a night and morning.
So shall you remember me, eager in pursuing,?Faithful as a man must be in his time o' wooing.?Greater loves but stay and pine so, now youth is over, Smiling shall you