Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HOOFS IN THE DARK, by FANNIE STEARNS DAVIS GIFFORD


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HOOFS IN THE DARK, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I wake in the night, and my heart says, 'hark!'
Last Line: Out in the dark; out there in the dark. --
Alternate Author Name(s): Davis, Fannie Stearns
Subject(s): Death; Dead, The


I WAKE in the night, and my heart says, "Hark!"
I lie like a corpse in my cool white place.
For hoofs go by in the dark, in the dark.
I turn on my pillow and bury my face.

The night is a tomb that smothers and sounds.
The night is a cavern uncressetted.
The blood in my ears like a mallet pounds.
My heart goes wild and my eyes see red:

Red and purple with prickling light,
Terrible broken light like glass.
For your hoofs go by in the breathing night,
And I dare not call you nor see you pass.

Loud on the bridge and up the hill,
Low and dull on the turfy lawn:
You ride with the wind, at the dark wind's will,
With the alien stars, an hour ere dawn.

* * * * *

When I am dead, and the tapers burn,
As stiff and pale in my place I lie,
What shall I do if I cannot turn
And bury my face when the hoofs go by?

What if my body rose in its shroud,
And leaned like a mist the casement through,
Being no longer mortal and proud, --
Questing you, calling you, claiming you?

Would you draw rein? Would you see my face
Wan with wonder and love and death
Shine out once from the window-space, --
Shine, then fade with the frost's white breath?

Would you draw rein? Who knows? The tide
Of my blood runs high, and my heart says "Hark!"
I have long to live, while you ride -- you ride --
Out in the dark; out there in the dark. --





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