If music could be loosened from its bars, And melody could rise untrammeled, high! Beating impetuous wings against the sky, Tearing in passion at the shaken stars; If music could hold color of wild birds Deep ivory-black, rose madder, crystal jade, And moon-blown gold, and every tint and shade, -- Then music would be beautiful as words. Words give earth color and all harmonies. The scarlet sounds Giovanni's rage imbued With crimson -- such, tint Mycerinus' knees; Song flamed on Tristan's lips when Iseult wooed; And viols sobbed in mauve, words Mary said, When she stood white, above her Wordless Dead. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SURFACES AND MASKS; 7 by CLARENCE MAJOR IN THE STREETS by LOUIS UNTERMEYER TWO FUNERALS: 2. by LOUIS UNTERMEYER THE THRUSH'S NEST by JOHN CLARE THE SPELLIN' BEE by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR GREENWOOD CEMETERY by CRAMMOND KENNEDY |