A sky of deepening bronze Seemed tolling like a bell. Blue ice filmed shrivelled ponds. Snow whispering fell. Trees traced a frieze of black. One window's spark Flecked gold upon the farmyard track, Brightening with the dark. He cinched the saddle on the colt That snuffed his hand. The bar was slid, the bolt Shot. The open land Lay ghostly still from hill to hill. He sprang. They were gone. Like foam below them tossed the snow. Hoofs beat on. Blurred in the eyes like unshed tears Stars crackled overhead; The wind a flickering shears That snaps a thread. Swift between drifts the flooding thud Ran muffled on. Straight at the moon he rode In goblin dawn. Dark trees to one high house Closed round him up the drive. He reined in hush that seemed to rouse The voice of all alive. Pebbles that, spattering, ticked the glass Awoke a crocus stain. He saw her shadow pass The blinded pane. Over the snow-choked portico The house leaned heavy-beamed. A footfall light, a footfall low. The fanlight gleamed. Cautious, the oak both groaned and spoke. One golden bud of flame. Shadows tall thronged from the hall. Name breathed to name. In frosted heaven the moon's shell Filled, overflowed with light, Welling like ringing of a bell Through the lingering night. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PRO PATRIA MORI by THOMAS MOORE ON FEATHER BEDS by JOHN ARMSTRONG MY WIFE'S COUSIN, SELECTION by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN THE JOY-VENDER by ABBIE FARWELL BROWN THE MEISTERSINGER by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON |