(The sacred corn jar of the Mandans is made by the oldest woman of the tribe in a dark cave where no human eye may see the making else the gods will break it apart.) Crouching dumb in caverns deep Where black bats brood or hang asleep And rock snakes crawl and lizards creep, I dream my song. Away from the Old Man's evil eye And the eyes of women that ceaselessly spy And the eyes of children that mock and cry, I mould my song. The Gods would break my work in three If human eyes my dream should see Till flames from ugly clay set free The perfect song. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MATRES DOLOROSAE by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES THE PATH-FLOWER by OLIVE TILFORD DARGAN THE PASSIONATE SHEPHERD TO HIS LOVE by CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE EPITAPH FOR ONE WHO WOULD NOT BE BURIED IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY by ALEXANDER POPE MUTABILITY (2) by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY THE REVENGE; A BALLAD OF THE FLEET by ALFRED TENNYSON |