BY the wide lake's margin I mark'd her lie -- The wide, weird lake where the alders sigh -- A young fair thing, with a shy, soft eye; And I deem'd that her thoughts had flown To her home, and her brethren, and sisters dear, As she lay there watching the dark, deep mere, All motionless, all alone. Then I heard a noise, as of men and boys, And a boisterous troop drew nigh. Whither now will retreat those fairy feet? Where hide till the storm pass by? One glance -- the wild glance of a hunted thing -- She cast behind her; she gave one spring; And there follow'd a splash and a broadening ring On the lake where the alders sigh. She had gone from the ken of ungentle men! Yet scarce did I mourn for that; For I knew she was safe in her own home then, And, the danger past, would appear again, For she was a water-rat. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE AUDACIOUS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON ANSWER TO PRAYER by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON GHOSTS OF THE OLD YEAR by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON A FLORIDA SUNDAY by SIDNEY LANIER COUNTRYWOMEN by KATHERINE MANSFIELD IN 'DESIGNING A CLOAK TO CLOAK HIS DESIGNS' YOU WRESTED FROM OBLIVION by MARIANNE MOORE |