Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FOUNTAIN-TALK by HILDA CONKLING

First Line: SAID THE FOUNTAIN TO ITS CLEAR BED
Last Line: "I HEAR THE BIRD-SANDMAN!"
SAID the fountain to its clear bed,
"You might flow faster!
I am sprinkling my best, every day,
But ice is holding you fast.
Can't you get out?
Can't you lift yourself with sun?
I am tired waiting for slow cold water
To fling about the air:
Can't you wake yourself up?"
But the fountain-basin murmured softly
"Sleep . . . sleep . . .
Sleep . . . sleep . . .
You with your talking and talking!
Hush . . . hush . . .
I hear the bird-sandman!"



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