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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


NIGHT IN CAMP by HERBERT BASHFORD

First Line: FIERCE BURNS OUR FIRE OF DRIFTWOOD; OVERHEAD
Last Line: THE DARKNESS PUSHING DOWN UPON THE LAND.
Subject(s): CAMPING; CAMPS; SUMMER CAMPS;

FIERCE burns our fire of driftwood; over-head
Gaunt maples lift long arms against the night;
The stars are sobbing, -- sorrow-shaken, white,
And high they hang, or show sad eyes grown red
With weeping for their queen, -- the moon, just dead.
Black shadows backward reel when tall and bright
The broad flames stand and fling a golden light
On mats of soft green moss around us spread.
A sudden breeze comes in from off the sea,
The vast, old forest draws a troubled breath,
A leaf awakens; up the shore of sand
The slow tide, silver-lipped, creeps noiselessly;
The campfire dies; then silence deep as death;
The darkness pushing down upon the land.



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