Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FLOODGATE, by DAVID MCCORD


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FLOODGATE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Low, when the western flock is folded
Last Line: And the owl begins his flight.
Subject(s): Birds; Floods; Insects; Owls; Bugs


Low, when the western flock is folded,
And the shepherd leans upon his staff,
Grave calm collects where lately scolded
The birds, where shook an eldritch laugh.

Then from the air the dust is driven,
And all particular expelled;
With great intent the skies are riven,
The cricket stopped, the sheep unbelled:

And straight, above the wan horizon,
Slants the white moon in cold distrust,
Casting remote, deflective eyes on
Hills that fill with a silver rust.

No lamp subtends that brave illusion;
In the dark tracery of the night
The hours shiver in soft conclusion,
And the owl begins his flight.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net