A wolf, a hornet, and a nightingale Are locked in separate cages of my heart. At times the insect strikes with poison dart, The beast complains with melancholy wail. At times the songster strives without avail To voice high numbers of impassioned art, But ever, though serene she broods apart, Low brutish grumblings make her faint and quail. Oh, how to drive the wolf from out his den, To halt the hornet's tantalizing sting, And make the bright musician soar and sing? Ah, how? I cannot say! I know not when The bestial powers unseen will rise again, Slaying the rapturous song-bird on the wing! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ARMOR by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON REALITY REQUIRES by WISLAWA SZYMBORSKA LEINSTER by LOUISE IMOGEN GUINEY THE BIGLOW PAPERS: 6. THE PIOUS EDITOR'S CREED by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL ODE TO LUDLOW CASTLE by LUCY AIKEN TO MARIE by JOHN BENNETT (1865-1956) |