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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A SHORT SYMPHONY, by WILLIAM M. GILBERT
First Line: The director beat a sharp tattoo
Last Line: A critic's hearty clap.
Subject(s): Rain
First Line: The director beat a sharp tattoo
Last Line: A critic's hearty clap.
Subject(s): Rain
The Director beat a sharp tattoo
Upon my window pane,
While all the world outside was hushed
With muted summer rain ...
There stirred a liquid tremolo
And then a sudden beat
Of footsteps on the screeking sand
Till waves drowned out my feet.
A sturdy sound of wooden blocks,
A thump on deck of pine,
A crack of canvas in the wind,
The drip of hawser line,
The crack of canvas died away,
A slap of waves began,
And shattered spray went ssshhhing like
A cymbal as she ran.
Through syncopated hiss of spume,
Through creaking sheets and blocks,
A clap of thunder burst the air
And wheeled me to the docks.
Droning wind past slender stays
Gave way to easing sheet,
And the gurgle past the rudder dragged
Like weary waymen's feet.
The rush of water suddenly
Was but an idle slap,
And rain that beat upon the deck
A critic's hearty clap.
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