Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY, by JOHN HALL WHEELOCK


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Heaven is full of stars to-night; the earth
Last Line: Wherever they were going, they are gone.
Subject(s): Footprints; Nature


Heaven is full of stars to-night; the earth
Lies hushed, as she shall lie some day, perhaps,
When life and death no longer trouble her --
No voice, no cry in the whole countryside.

The empty road rambles through field and thicket,
And in the road are prints of hoof and foot:
Along the surface of this lonely planet,
Now naked to the hunger of the stars,
Man and beast, on the old pilgrimage,
They passed together here -- not long ago.

What was it they were looking for I wonder,
Or if, themselves, they knew? Where were they going?
Footsteps -- always footsteps going somewhere --
What country is it that they all are seeking,
Who up and down the world by night or day
Move with such patience, always to one end?

Not the least sound. Not the least leaf disturbs
The immemorial majesty of heaven.
Footprints -- only footprints going somewhere.

Wherever they were going, they are gone.





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