Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE TRAVELLER HEART, by NICHOLAS VACHEL LINDSAY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE TRAVELLER HEART, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I would be one with the dark, dark earth
Last Line: When the sheaves were ripe, and the apples red.
Alternate Author Name(s): Lindsay, Vachel
Subject(s): Hearts; Travel; Journeys; Trips


I WOULD be one with the dark, dark earth:—
Follow the plow with a yokel tread.
I would be part of the Indian corn,
Walking the rows with the plumes o'erhead.

I would be one with the lavish earth,
Eating the bee-stung apples red:
Walking where lambs walk on the hills;
By oak-grove paths to the pools be led.

I would be one with the dark-bright night
When sparkling skies and the lightning wed—
Walking on with the vicious wind
By roads whence even the dogs have fled.

I would be one with the sacred earth
On to the end, till I sleep with the dead.
Terror shall put no spears through me.
Peace shall jewel my shroud instead.

I shall be one with all pit-black things
Finding their lowering threat unsaid:
Stars for my pillow there in the gloom,—
Oak roots arching about my head!

Acorns fall round my breast that bled.
Stars, like daisies, shall rise through the earth,
Children shall weave there a flowery chain,
Squirrels on acorn-hearts be fed:—

Fruit of the traveller-heart of me,
Fruit of my harvest-songs long sped:
Sweet with the life of my sunburned days
When the sheaves were ripe, and the apples red.





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