Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, IN THE GARDEN (WITH APOLOGIES TO ALFRED NOYES), by MARJORIE W. BRACHLOW


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IN THE GARDEN (WITH APOLOGIES TO ALFRED NOYES), by                
First Line: When the wind was a whispering phantom frightening
Last Line: I see her gown like the starlight and hear her softly pass.
Subject(s): Gardens & Gardening; Noyes, Alfred (1880-1958)


When the wind was a whispering phantom frightening aspen-leaves,
And the night was deep with a stillness known to the heart that grieves,
And the moonlight made of the fountain a crystal-gazer's glass,
I saw her gown like the starlight,
Her shimmering gown like the starlight,
I saw her gown like the starlight and heard her softly pass.

She passed but she turned back slowly, and dawn was in her eyes;
Her April lips were parted in wondering surprise;
Then it seemed she floated toward me, dew-drops shone on her hair,
And she wove her spell on the garden,
The scented, moon-glowing garden,
She wove her spell on the garden and caught me unaware.

I stood enchanted, waiting; at last she reached my side;
Beneath her gaze I trembled and felt the engulfing tide
Of many rushing waters -- she smiled so tenderly;
And my heart was bound by her magic,
Her delicate, star-spun magic,
My heart was bound by her magic and never again was free.

We met each night in the garden; the silence stole away,
And the night was filled with music known to the heart that's gay;
And many a vow was spoken and many a promise made
As we dreamed our dreams by the fountain,
The sparkling, crystal fountain,
As we dreamed our dreams by the fountain and through Elysium strayed.
But her soul was lightly earthbound; her life's brief flower was blown;
Her airy spirit grew restive and I was left alone
To wander in the garden through all the empty years;
For she lay beneath the roses,
The fragrant, drooping roses,
She lay beneath the roses oblivious to my tears.

And yet, when the wind is a phantom frightening aspen-leaves,
And the night is deep with a stillness known to the heart that grieves
And the moonlight makes of the fountain a crystal-gazer's glass
I see her gown like the starlight,
Her shimmering gown like the starlight,
I see her gown like the starlight and hear her softly pass.





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