Classic and Contemporary Poetry
OVER THE RANGE, by ANDREW BARTON PATERSON Poet's Biography First Line: Little bush maiden, wondering eyed Last Line: To the beautiful country over the range. Alternate Author Name(s): Paterson, 'banjo' Subject(s): Death; Home; Life; Summer; Dead, The | ||||||||
Little bush maiden, wondering-eyed, Playing alone in the creek-bed dry, In the small green flat on every side Walled in by the Moonbi ranges high; Tell me the tale of your lonely life 'Mid the great grey forests that know no change. 'I never have left my home,' she said, 'I have never been over the Moonbi Range. 'Father and mother are both long dead, And I live with granny in yon wee place.' 'Where are your father and mother?' I said. She puzzled awhile with thoughtful face, Then a light came into the shy brown eye, And she smiled, for she thought the question strange On a thing so certain -- 'When people die They go to the country over the range.' 'And what is this country like, my lass?' 'There are blossoming trees and pretty flowers, And shining creeks where the golden grass Is fresh and sweet from the summer showers. They never need work, nor want, nor weep; No troubles can come their hearts to estrange. Some summer night I shall fall asleep, And wake in the country over the range.' Child, you are wise in your simple trust, For the wisest man knows no more than you. Ashes to ashes, and dust to dust: Our views by a range are bounded too; But we know that God hath this gift in store, That, when we come to the final change, We shall meet with our loved ones gone before To the beautiful country over the range. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND A BALLAD OF DUCKS by ANDREW BARTON PATERSON |
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