Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, NEWARK: 1666, by ELIZABETH SEWELL HILL



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

NEWARK: 1666, by                    
First Line: Sunset on the hills; with dark below
Last Line: Thro' urgent years, the passaic knows.
Subject(s): Newark, New Jersey


Sunset on the hills; with dark below,
The wooded slopes. The evening glow
Blinds where the river-flood runs wide,
Lifts pink and pearl from the other side;
And the woods run down to the splendid stain
Of the river-brim to live again.

One lone canoe drifts idly by
With the sure stroke sweeping back fitfully,
Presaging portents dire and black
From the tangled reaches of Hackensack.

The slopes stand bare on the darker side
Where the clearing spreads, brave, clean and wide,
And the timbers pile in close redoubt
Near where the home-lights twinkle out.

The new post held, the new vows sworn
In the old, old faith—and the town is born.

How the spirit kindles, how greatly goes
Thro' urgent years, the Passaic knows.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...



Home: PoetryExplorer.net