BELOW us rolled the earth. We were Like clouds above the dust and din. We heard Saint Peter's violin, For Heaven's gate drew near us there: We rode upon the Zeppelin, The strong-ribbed dolphin of the air. A magic carpet was the plain, Men crawled like ants that seemed to doze. A thousand poplars stood in rows Like soldiers marching in a lane. Your mouth, the envy of the rose, Drank in the sunshine llke champagne. And then the glass grew bright for us With wine. Like happy boy and maid We drank to all hearts unafraid Who bravely walk the perilous Ways of the air to shame the shade Of Phaethon and Icarus. Leander for his Love's sake hurled Himself into the deep, but I More blessed than Hero's lover, fly Above green meadows dew-bepearled, While at my side I clasp on high The fairest lady in the world. God's lifted finger, looms a spire, And now the city's windows gleam. Our shadow races with the stream And still the ship climbs high and higher, But not so high as soars my dream, But not so swift as my desire. My lady laughs. Oh Cruel One: All ships pay toll unto the sea, But I can build a craft for thee, That earth itself shall not outrun, And lift on wings of melody My heart's desire to the sun. All ships pay toll unto the sea, Death sounds the last bell of delight; Like the earth earthy, and the night, Love's pleasant face at last shall be: But she who shares a poet's flight May share his immortality. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MIDDLE-AGED; A STUDY IN EMOTION by EZRA POUND ST. FRANCIS EINSTEIN OF THE DAFFODILS (FIRST VERSION) by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS SONNET: 148 by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE CORRYMEELA by NESTA HIGGINSON SKRINE TO WALTER LIONEL DE ROTHSCHILD ON HIS BAR-MITZVAH by LOUIS BARNETT ABRAHAMS LEANDER DROWNED by PHILIP AYRES THE WEDDING DAY; OR, THE BUCCANEER'S CURSE; A FAMILY LEGEND by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM |