Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE REACHES OF A SONG, by GERTIE STEWART PHILLIPS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE REACHES OF A SONG, by                    
First Line: My weathered house looks very small
Last Line: Or the wide reaches of a song!
Subject(s): Singing & Singers


My weathered house looks very small,
Inconsequent to one who toils
With a rule to measure just how tall
The reaches of a dream-built wall --
How far the patient ivy coils
Above a chimney pedestal;

Who marks with calculating eyes
The stanchion's length, the width of gird --
But overlooks a nest that lies
In sheltered eaves, the swift uprise
Of bubbling joy a homing bird
Throws to the roof of morning skies;

Nor sees the gold of ripening grain
Spread by the autumn hours of day
Upon each small square casement pane.
Who measures thus, can he explain
Why walls grow high when dreamers pray --
Broad when their songs defy the rain? --

Why little flaming joys that throng
About my hearthstone all declare:
None earth-bound know the height of prayer,
Or the wide reaches of a song!





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