THE green leaves as we pass Lay their light fingers on thee unaware, And by thy side the hazels cluster fair, And the low forest-grass Grows green and silken where the wood-paths wind -- Alas! for thee, sweet mother! thou art blind! And nature is all bright; And the faint gray and crimson of the dawn, Like folded curtains from the day are drawn; And evening's purple light Quivers in tremulous softness on the sky -- Alas! sweet mother! for thy clouded eye! The moon's new silver shell Trembles above thee, and the stars float up, In the blue air, and the rich tulip's cup Is pencill'd passing well, And the swift birds on glorious pinions flee -- Alas! sweet mother! that thou canst not see! And the kind looks of friends Peruse the sad expression in thy face, And the child stops amid his bounding race, And the tall stripling bends Low to thine ear with duty unforgot -- Alas! sweet mother! that thou seest them not! But thou canst @3hear!@1 and love May richly on a human tone be pour'd, And the least cadence of a whisper'd word A daughter's love may prove -- And while I speak thou knowest if I smile, Albeit thou canst not see my face the while! Yes, thou canst hear! and He Who on thy sightless eye its darkness hung, To the attentive ear, like harps, hath strung Heaven and earth and sea! And 'tis a lesson in our hearts to know -- @3With but one sense the soul may overflow.@1 | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FUNERAL HYMN by LOUIS UNTERMEYER DEATH'S JEST-BOOK: SIBYLLA'S DIRGE by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES THE LORD OF BURLEIGH by ALFRED TENNYSON VERS LIBRE by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS SELF-COMMUNING by CHARLES BAUDELAIRE LOVE AND COQUETRY by LEVI BISHOP |