As the hedges, clipt and even, That parallel the common way -- And upon one side the hedges And upon one side bare trees -- As these hedges bear the dried leaves That have fallen from spent branches, -- Having caught them in mid air -- And hold them yet awhile That they may not be so soon Jostled about and tramped on -- The red, the yellow, the purple -- blues -- So do my words catch and bear Both leaves and flowers that are fallen -- In all places before the feet Of the passing many -- to bear them Yet awhile before they are trodden. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...INSCRIPTION FOR THE ENTRANCE TO A WOOD by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT ON HIS MISTRESS, THE QUEEN OF BOHEMIA by HENRY WOTTON THE SECOND MOTHERHOOD by ST. CLAIR ADAMS THE WILD GEESE by MICHAEL JOSEPH BARRY THE IMPROVISATORE: LEOPOLD by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES DEDICATION TO POEMS, LYRICS AND SONNETS by LOUISA SARAH BEVINGTON |