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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
WILD GEESE, by WILLIAM ALEXANDER PERCY Poet's Biography
First Line: When naked winter on the midnight falls
Last Line: Or spirit choirs dark-flying towards some dawn?
Subject(s): Geese; Stars; Winter
First Line: When naked winter on the midnight falls
Last Line: Or spirit choirs dark-flying towards some dawn?
Subject(s): Geese; Stars; Winter
When naked winter on the midnight falls
With icy macerations, hook and flail,
They come -- with rush of wings and signal calls --
The mighty birds that home the north, full sail
Upon the blast. Their unseen cohorts high,
Breasting the stars, make purpose proud to shun
All pausing, till beneath them, tranquil, lie
Day and the silver marshes of the sun.
But should the floor of darkness festal grow,
As far beneath some town unbraids its lights,
Routed, deceived, heart-set to gain the glow,
They drop; nor join again the sunward flights.
Was it their cries I heard, remote, withdrawn,
Or spirit choirs dark-flying towards some dawn?
Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!
Other Poems of Interest...
LOOKING EAST IN THE WINTER by JOHN HOLLANDER
WINTER DISTANCES by FANNY HOWE
WINTER FORECAST by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN
AT WINTER'S EDGE by JUDY JORDAN
CHAMBER MUSIC: 34 by JAMES JOYCE
OVERTONES by WILLIAM ALEXANDER PERCY