DOES the poet understand what the nightingale at night Sweetly sings? Pouring out her secret heart to the pure and pale moonlight? Does he understand the meaning of the singing That is ringing Ev'rywhere On the air? Does the poet comprehend what the pearl pinklinèd shell Murmurs faint? Does it tell him all the secrets that the foamtouched wavelets tell, As they fling their arms caressing on the gleaming, Golden, beaming, Shell-strewn floor Of the shore? Does the poet hear the secrets of the fair-lipped flowers sweet? What they say To each other? Does he listen while we tread them 'neath our feet, Just to hear the fragrant whisper—catch the meaning Of the leaning Roses red In their bed? Does the poet hear the song through the music of the stream Fresh and clear, As it ripples, dances on—on to meet the gold sunbeam, Which is waiting 'mid the shadows that are lying In the sighing Weeping willow Near the billow? Tell us, poet, are you gifted that these things you understand, And can read Nature's poems in the book she holds within her hand? And for us who cannot open it or read it You repeat it, That we know it? Do you, poet? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...UNDER THE CEDARCROFT CHESTNUT by SIDNEY LANIER SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: ELIZABETH CHILDERS by EDGAR LEE MASTERS AGAINST THEM WHO LAY UNCHASTITY TO THE SEX OF WOMAN by WILLIAM HABINGTON THE POSY RING by CLEMENT MAROT THERE IS NO DEATH by JOHN LUCKEY MCCREERY SEVEN SAD SONNETS: 6. THE WANDERING ONE MAKES MUSIC by MARY REYNOLDS ALDIS KNOWLEDGE by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH |