Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SONG OF THE AXE, by ISABELLA VALANCY CRAWFORD First Line: High grew the snow beneath the low-hung sky Last Line: "we build up nations -- this my axe and I!" Variant Title(s): The Axe Subject(s): Axes; Hatchets | ||||||||
High grew the snow beneath the low-hung sky, And all was silent in the wilderness; In trance of stillness Nature heard her God Rebuilding her spent fires, and veiled her face While the Great Worker brooded o'er His work. "Bite deep and wide, O Axe, the tree! What doth thy bold voice promise me?" "I promise thee all joyous things That furnish forth the lives of kings! "For every silver ringing blow, Cities and palaces shall grow!" "Bite deep and wide, O Axe, the tree! Tell wider prophecies to me." "When rust hath gnawed me deep and red, A nation strong shall lift his head. "His crown the very Heavens shall smite, AEons shall build him in his might!" "Bite deep and wide, O Axe, the tree; Bright Seer, help on thy prophecy!" Max smote the snow-weighed tree, and lightly laughed. "See, friend," he cried to one that looked and smiled, My axe and I -- we do immortal tasks-- We build up nations -- this my axe and I!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONG OF THE BROAD-AXE by WALT WHITMAN HATCHET by WILLIAM THOMAS CALLAWAY JR. THE CLICK OF THE WIELDED PICK by CHARLES LOUIS HENRY WAGNER THE CANOE by ISABELLA VALANCY CRAWFORD CHAMBER MUSIC: 29 by JAMES JOYCE HUMAN LIFE: ON THE DENIAL OF IMMORTALITY by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE |
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