From the slow-moving shadows on the grass I lift my eyes to think awhile of thee, Letting the lazy sunlit moments pass Like a deep river mingling with the sea. Above my head the heavy chestnut bloom Waves in the waving of the fitful wind, While the great leaves, in glimmer and in gloom Shed down a holy influence on the mind. On such a morn as this the spirit knows A kinship deep with all that breathes and lives; On such a morn the smallest weed that grows A spiritual revelation gives. Ah! not one life in Nature's vast domain But on all others hath a power profound, An influence sacred as the silent rain That falls from Heaven to consecrate the ground. So, as I summon up thine image, friend, The thought of thee is linked with trees and flowers, And other rivers with the vision blend, Than this slow-winding Sussex Ouse of ours. Once more I see the stream we loved of yore, The wooden bridge, the bank, the ancient boat, Once more the reedy pastures and once more The shallows where the water lilies float. O youthful days, when all the world did seem A garden of delight! O youthful days, Come back once more, tho' only in a dream, Come back and smooth for us life's tedious ways. For us? But thou -- thou hast no need of dreams, Life's cup for thee brims full with youthful glee; Thou hast no need to snatch the passing gleams From the sad eyes of dark Mnemosyne. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FEMALE CONVICT by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON TO HELEN (1) by EDGAR ALLAN POE FELDMESTEN OR MEASURING THE GRAVES by ALTER ABELSON THE PHANTOM REVIEW by SQUIRE OMAR BARKER THE ARGO'S CHANTY by WILLIAM ROSE BENET |