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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE VOICE, by NORMAN ROWLAND GALE Poet's Biography
First Line: As I went down the hill I heard
Last Line: Elizabeth! Elizabeth!
Subject(s): Country Life; Memory
First Line: As I went down the hill I heard
Last Line: Elizabeth! Elizabeth!
Subject(s): Country Life; Memory
AS I went down the hill I heard
The laughter of the countryside;
For, rain being past, the whole land stirred
With new emotion, like a bride.
I scarce had left the grassy lane,
When something made me catch my breath:
A woman called, and called again,
Elizabeth! Elizabeth!
It was my mother's name. A part
Of wounded memory sprang to tears,
And the few violets of my heart
Shook in the wind of happier years.
Quicker than magic came the face
That once was sun and moon for me;
The garden shawl, the cap of lace,
The collie's head against her knee.
Mother, who findest out a way
To pass the sentinels, and stand
Behind my chair at close of day,
To touch me—almost—with thy hand,
Deep in my breast how sure, how clear,
The lamp of love burns on till death!—
How trembles if I chance to hear
Elizabeth! Elizabeth!
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Other Poems of Interest...
MEMORY AS A HEARING AID by TONY HOAGLAND
THE SAME QUESTION by JOHN HOLLANDER
FORGET HOW TO REMEMBER HOW TO FORGET by JOHN HOLLANDER
ON THAT SIDE by LAWRENCE JOSEPH
MEMORY OF A PORCH by DONALD JUSTICE
BEYOND THE HUNTING WOODS by DONALD JUSTICE
THE COUNTRY FAITH by NORMAN ROWLAND GALE