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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


PREMONITIONS by ROBERT UNDERWOOD JOHNSON

First Line: THERE'S A SHADOW ON THE GRASS
Last Line: "FORWARD!"" IS THE SUMMONS. ""FORWARD! WHERE THE NEW HORIZONS WAIT."

THERE'S a shadow on the grass
That was never there before;
And the ripples as they pass
Whisper of an unseen oar;
And the song we knew by rote
Seems to falter in the throat,
And a footfall, scarcely noted, lingers near the open door.

Omens that were once but jest
Now are messengers of fate;
And the blessing held the best
Cometh not or comes too late.
Yet, whatever life may lack,
Not a blown leaf beckons back,
"Forward!" is the summons. "Forward! where the new horizons wait."



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