Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, DISCOVERY (1), by JOHN FREEMAN


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DISCOVERY (1), by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Along the road I walked and stared
Last Line: Neath lifting lids discovered?
Subject(s): Love; Love - Loss Of; Past


ALONG the road I walked and stared,
In dusty footsteps seeking yours—
In vain: confusion covered up
Your path as water pours
In water and is lost.

A mile I walked with vision bent
Unheeding the late violet's sweet,
And the shrill lark assailing heaven,
And the soft-fingered heat
Of thickening hazel shade.

A mile—and here at last your step
Drew from the grossness of that dust,
And through the gate, beneath the yews
Whose raven vast wings tossed
A dark foam at the sky;—

Beneath the yews, beneath the fan
Of the white porch, then disappeared.
And now your loitering notes crept out
Like faint far water heard,
Singing for none to hear.

Even so your life draws from the maze
Of lives unknown, finished, forgot,
And in each room your voice renews
Murmurs long-hushed, remote,
Clinging bat-like asleep.

O, is it but the dead within
Your mood, your voice, your eyes, your shape
Calling to buried loves in me?
Can never Love escape
Death's undying watch?

Speak—is there but echo in your voice?
Look—are lovers in your eyes?
Come—is your visage but the mask
Time lends you for disguise,
Thin-worn, shallow, paling?

Even so. Life stumbles toward the past
Slowly fulfilling and fulfilled.
So, love, in yours my love reverts
To loves long soothed and stilled
On ancient rocking tides.

Even so: but whence this ache and pulse,
These rushing tongues of kindling fire?
Whence this wild look of startled peace,
Voice of abashed desire,
Quick trouble of your breast?

O, whence this sudden subtle passion
Within our yielded being shaking,
This fierce infirmity of flesh,
This spiritual awaking—
'Neath lifting lids discovered?





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