Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE OUTCASTS, by JOHN LAWSON STODDARD Poet's Biography First Line: The smile of god was in the air Last Line: While they remain uncomforted. Subject(s): Alienation (social Psychology); Beauty; Death; Youth; Estrangement; Outcasts; Dead, The | ||||||||
The smile of God was in the air; Enwreathed in veils of silvery hue, The valley lay, divinely fair, Beneath a cloudless vault of blue; And singing, like a bird set free, The river hurried to the sea. Through Alpine ether, crystal clear, The genial sun of South Tyrol Diffused its blessed warmth and cheer, Enriching body, mind and soul, While music floated o'er the stream, And made such beauty seem a dream. Enraptured with the sun's caress And windless warmth 'mid peaks of snow, In careless quest of happiness The gay world sauntered to and fro, Or, seated on the well-kept strand, Enjoyed the music of the band. Upon a bench, remote from those Whose dress betokened rank or wealth, Sat two poor waifs, whose weary pose Betrayed a fruitless search for health, -- An aged couple, near their end, United, yet without a friend. But still they bravely tried to smile, -- So warm the sun, so fair the scene! -- They could be happy yet a while, Ere death's cold shadow crept between; And music's softly rhythmic flow Recalled their youth of long ago. "Begone!" a watchman's voice exclaimed; "Your rustic garb is much too poor; How comes it, you are not ashamed In such a place to play the boor? From company like this withdraw! Obey the mandate of the law!" The startled strangers meekly rose And moved away with downcast eyes, Too wonted to such cruel blows To manifest the least surprise; Too humbled to inquire why; Too timid to attempt reply. Poor outcasts from that joyous stage Where well-dressed hundreds strolled at ease, With faltering steps, and bowed with age, They vanished slowly 'neath the trees; But neither scanned the other's face, For fear a falling tear to trace. Farewell, sweet, music-laden air, And sunshine on the sheltered strand! I follow where that outcast pair Are walking sadly, hand in hand; For me your vaunted charm hath fled, While they remain uncomforted. | 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 MAY MONODY by JOHN LAWSON STODDARD |
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