Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE ROCK PILE, by ELIZABETH SEWELL HILL


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE ROCK PILE, by                    
First Line: Here is the rock pile; so, blow on blow
Last Line: Do the birds sing? I do not know.
Subject(s): Courage; Valor; Bravery


Here is the rock-pile; so, blow on blow,
Crevice and cleavage, and the new rock row.
Over us breathes out the heart of the spring,
Earth-smells and wood-calls and wood-cries a-wing,
Fresh rain and warm sun. In the uppermost reach
A bobolink calls from a topping bare beech.

This is the rock-pile; the new rock row.
Into the thick of it, blow on blow!
The joy of the working—swing and swing—
The heave and lift, and the shock and ring,
As sledge strikes steel; how the piled blocks show!
High and higher lifts the new rock row.

The joy of the working—yea—blow and blow;
Lo, the sweep of the far flung new rock row!
The upward sweep and the downcast eye—
The voice of authority going by.
What does it matter—swing and swing—
While the sun shines warm and the bluebirds sing,
Who gets the praise? Ho, blow on blow,
Sweep and swing for a new rock row!

Here comes the new load—steady—so—
Into the thick of it, blow and blow!
Force and fit to the flung new line,
Crevice and cleavage, fronted and fine.
Tired? Come closer—so—two and two;
Into it, swing for it, batter it thro'!
Steady—we're coming—now, blow and blow;
Courage, dear heart, we know—we know—
How brave and fine sweeps the flung rock row.

Passing, they're passing where the highways run,
And the shadows chill with the setting sun.
More loads? And more loads? The strokes swing slow.
Do the birds sing? I do not know.





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