Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FROM THE LEGEND OF HARTFORD, by ELEANOR O'ROURKE KOENIG


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FROM THE LEGEND OF HARTFORD, by                    
First Line: Three hundred years... They come back spirit-wise
Last Line: The strong bent of our spirits move us thither.
Subject(s): Constellations; Spiritual Life


Three hundred years . . . they come back spirit-wise;
We show them how their Light has traveled far;
To ships in air, Olympias in the skies;
We link it now to Arcturus, a Star:
We see the planets through a lake of glass --
That man is not yet free must seem absurd --
Why, when we look through the telescope must we see pass
And near to us, a ghost, a winged threat, a monstrous bird --
We cannot brush off from us those gnashing wings,
We think we live our ordinary lives,
Men, women, husbands and wives,
We laugh through the day or frown at petty things, --
And yet we do not meet each other's eyes,
And like a band that threatens on our throats,
When ships are congregating in our skies,
We look for a silver ship and hear grating notes --
Science introverted -- genius must we abhor? --
Our heritage to our children -- shall it be War? --
Who now shall answer these inhibited fears? --
The Pioneers.
They have wrung a soul; they know this country best;
They are not mute, tame phantoms of desire.
Let Hooker rise and answer for the rest.
As of old, a leader to inspire.
What fitter sign for us than his retort,
When he pleaded he might go and build this town,
That day in Boston before the General Court.
He pleaded too magnificently, then he sat down,
His plea was denied, but he looked like one possessed
With prophecy. He brought as light brings,
His voice rings,
We may hear him still.
Ask of him today as in that narrow room,
Before the body of those august men;
Like to the Court, and the listeners he addressed,
Or at his tomb . . .
Listen again.

So shall his words bring to us peace as wide,
Faith, vision-blent, sure as the rainbow's arch --
If his heart failed him, his soul cried,
As he marched in a vision, so we shall march --
Forward, by his side.
Whither?
The strong bent of our spirits move us thither.





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