This is not a path for heedless going -- A spur of rock, a blackly naked root Or crumbling ledge would snare the idle foot -- But lovelier reasons: one would not miss knowing Where star flowers lean against a shaggy shoulder Of old oak stump, or emerald shadows turn, Nearer, to feathery fountain-sprays of fern, Or mosses robe the knees of some gray boulder. This is not a path for eager seeking -- Here where wood violets peer from grassy dusk, And sweet earth smells taunt every breeze, like musk, There is no need for search, nor hurried speaking: Feet stumbling blindly, heavy with new-found sorrow, Need only pause, or follow through the winding Fragrance and hush, to earn reward in finding Healing and peace toward the unwished-for tomorrow. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE DESERTED GARDEN by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING A LETTER FROM A GIRL TO HER OWN OLD AGE by ALICE MEYNELL OH! BLAME NOT THE BARD by THOMAS MOORE THE PERSIANS (PERSAE): XERXES DEFEATED by AESCHYLUS LOVE MAKES THE BEST POETS; AN IDYLLIUM by BION INAUGURATION SONNET: WILLIAM JEWETT TUCKER by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE |