Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


HOW LIKE A HARP by MARGARETTE BALL DICKSON

First Line: HOW LIKE A HARP WITH QUIVERING SILVER STRINGS
Last Line: THE DISTANT MUSIC NEVER SOUND AGAIN.
Subject(s): HARPS; MELODIES; MUSIC & MUSICIANS; MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; LYRES;

How like a harp with quivering silver strings
My being at your soul-chord, thrills and sings;
A touch can set a-tremor liquid notes
As breezes bend a ripened field of oats;
A crash can sweep the taut strings from their hold
To leave them meaningless—and frayed—and old.
Caressing fingers bring the overtones
Transcending time and space of distant zones:
Zones of enchantment such as come in dreams
From white soul-spaces, all one's life, it seems.
An ecstacy but dreamed of lilts and swings—
How like a harp with quivering silver strings!
Your soul-antennae sense the ether thrill
Where other instruments are mute and still,
And softer chords than other ears may know
Come to your listening soul, and oh—and oh—
The moment is its own reward, if then
The distant music never sound again.



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