Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, DAWN-JOY, by FANNIE STEARNS DAVIS GIFFORD


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DAWN-JOY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Clean, clean as crisped water-cress
Last Line: My feet came close behind!
Alternate Author Name(s): Davis, Fannie Stearns
Subject(s): Dawn; Sunrise


CLEAN, clean as crisped water-cress
The dawn-taste of the wind!
I got me out with hastiness,
And not a look behind.

The sleep fell off my eyes like scales,
And off my feet like lead.
As thoughtless Things with hooves and tails,
I leapt, and tossed my head!

The sleep swept off my heart like mist
That blurs a sun-lit sea.
I felt the keen blood curl and twist
To every tip of me.

I felt as cherry-trees must feel
When all their blossoms shake;
Or like the black-bird routs that reel
Around a rushy lake.

I thought, "And so the Sun must thrill,
Who strides upon his way,
And sees the hushed earth-hollows fill
With living golden Day!"

I thought, "And God Himself must know
A Joy ten thousandfold
More free and thirsty, when His low
Dull earth grows glad and bold,

"And rocks and quivers in His hand,
As I do, with the Spring
Across the wild green-gilded land
Unloosed and glorying."

-- Clean, clean as crisped water-cress,
The dawn-taste of the wind.
My thoughts leapt high with heavenliness;
My feet came close behind!





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