Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, NEARING COLD-DALE, by HANNES HAFSTEIN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

NEARING COLD-DALE, by                    
First Line: I wish for rain - and I wish for snow
Last Line: Or an iceland storm -- on our cold-dale ride.


I WISH for rain -- and I wish for snow,
As on through Cold-Dale our horses glide;
And that a bracing wind may blow
Down from the glacial mountainside.

We need the air, and we need the bath,
To cleanse our spirits of slothful rest.
We need the lash of an ice wind's wrath
Of manly courage a fitting test.

We need a ride where the wild winds wake
And the rain beats down in relentless mood,
That they may humbly shiver and shake
Who shiver must. It may do them good.

When a noble storm meets a manly man
-- The face must tingle and foot must tire --
It draws on his latent strength to fan
The glowing coals of a hidden fire.

To brave the tempest with might and main
Lends steel to courage and spurs to pride.
-- I hope there will be a rush of rain
Or an Iceland storm -- on our Cold-Dale ride.






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