Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE CITY DWELLER, by BERNICE LESBIA KENYON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE CITY DWELLER, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: These things I cannot forget: far snow in the night
Last Line: The motion of men resounds like the thundering sea!
Alternate Author Name(s): Gilkyson, Walter, Mrs.
Subject(s): Cities; Thunder; Wind; Urban Life


THESE things I cannot forget: far snow in the night,
The shadows of hills, and the leaping beauty of flame,
Wind-scattered leaves, and the patterns of birds in flight,
And the changing thunderous sea that is never the same.

Oh, high are the city walls, and the houses tall,
And only the sky remains of beautiful things,
And there never is time to search the sky at all,
Lest there pass above me the changing pattern of wings.

But youth, clear youth that breathes in my breath today,
Chants in my blood that ancient beauty is young;
And sees far snow in the lamp-lit snow of my way,
And shadows of hills where the long wall-shadows are flung,

And flaming fire is lit by the million lights,
And blown smoke gathers as birds, or as leaves wind-free;
And oh, if your eyes are closed in the clamorous nights,
The motion of men resounds like the thundering sea!





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