Classic and Contemporary Poetry
NOONDAY REST, by MATHILDE BLIND Poet's Biography First Line: The willows whisper very, very low Last Line: As she, even she, her child. Alternate Author Name(s): Lake, Claude Subject(s): Hampstead Heath, London | ||||||||
THE willows whisper very, very low Unto the listening breeze; Sometimes they lose a leaf which, flickering slow, Faints on the sunburnt leas. Beneath the whispering boughs and simmering skies, On the hot ground at rest, Still as a stone, a ragged woman lies, Her baby at the breast. Nibbling around her browse monotonous sheep, Flies buzz about her head; Her heavy eyes are shuttered by a sleep As of the slumbering dead. The happy birds that live to love and sing, Flitting from bough to bough, Peer softly at this ghastly human thing With grizzled hair and brow. O'er what strange ways may not these feet have trod That match the cracking clay? Man had no pity on her -- no, nor God -- A nameless castaway! But Mother Earth now hugs her to her breast, Defiled or undefiled; And willows rock the weary soul to rest, As she, even she, her child. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON HAMPSTEAD HEATH by WILFRID WILSON GIBSON AT A HOUSE IN HAMPSTEAD by THOMAS HARDY BREATH OF HAMPSTEAD HEATH by EDITH MATILDA THOMAS SUNDAY AT HAMPSTEAD, SELS. by JAMES THOMSON (1834-1882) SUNDAY ON HAMPSTEAD HEATH by GEORGE WOODCOCK THE MYSTIC'S VISION by MATHILDE BLIND A CARNIVAL EPISODE by MATHILDE BLIND |
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