Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


HAUNTED by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE

Poet Analysis

First Line: FROM OUT THE WOOD I WATCHED THEM SHINE
Last Line: THE WATCH-STARS KINDLED IN THE SKY.

From out the wood I watched them shine, --
The windows of the haunted house,
Now ruddy as enchanted wine,
Now dark as flittermouse.

There went a thin voice piping airs
Along the grey and crooked walks, --
A garden of thistledown and tares,
Bright leaves, and giant stalks.

The twilight rain shone at its gates,
Where long-leaved grass in shadow grew;
And back in silence to her mates
A voiceless raven flew.

Lichen and moss the lone stones greened,
Green paths led lightly to its door,
Keen from her lair the spider leaned,
And dusk to darkness wore.

Amidst the sedge a whisper ran,
The West shut down a heavy eye,
And like last tapers, few and wan,
The watch-stars kindled in the sky.



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