Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


REPOSE OF THE SOUL IN THE WOOD OF L'HAUTIL: THE GOD OF SUNNY DAYS by PAUL FORT

First Line: PROUD YEARNING OF THE WIND ABOVE THE FOREST DEEPS, OF A WIND THAT
Last Line: PAIR OF HORNS FROM OUT MY FOREHEAD GROW.
Subject(s): FORESTS; TREES; WIND; WOODS;

Proud yearning of the wind above the forest deeps, of a wind that vivifies each
barrier that it leaps, perfumed with grain that 'neath its rule is bended low,
prompted me all at once to leave this world and go to heaven, among the leaves
down far-off vistas lost. Already, both my arms, 'gainst hoary trunks uptossed,
I crucified, all myself to the tempest did resign, to Boreas whose pale arms
like smoothest marble shine, to let myself depart with all the little trees --
But before me dropped the leaves. 'Twas dead calm. Not a breeze. Reclining at my
feet mysterious herbage spread, softly. No single flower was missing from its
place, and I seemed in woods serene to hear great Pan who said: "Behold, it is
Paul Fort, the god of sunny days." Then, as my long, draped arms, too widely
stretched, once more became my body's sheath, at that very instant, lo, I felt a
pair of horns from out my forehead grow.



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