When naked winter on the midnight falls With icy macerations, hook and flail, They come -- with rush of wings and signal calls -- The mighty birds that home the north, full sail Upon the blast. Their unseen cohorts high, Breasting the stars, make purpose proud to shun All pausing, till beneath them, tranquil, lie Day and the silver marshes of the sun. But should the floor of darkness festal grow, As far beneath some town unbraids its lights, Routed, deceived, heart-set to gain the glow, They drop; nor join again the sunward flights. Was it their cries I heard, remote, withdrawn, Or spirit choirs dark-flying towards some dawn? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...VARIATIONS FOR A SUMMER EVENING by MICHAEL ANANIA ITALIA, IO TI SALUTO!' by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI MAY (1) by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI POEMS ON THE SLAVE TRADE: 6 by ROBERT SOUTHEY CITY LYRICS by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS SONNET: LEAVES by WILLIAM BARNES |