Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THOREAU, by GENEVIEVE TAGGARD


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THOREAU, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Birds trailed him with their ardent wings and music
Last Line: Above his hut a startled heron flies.
Alternate Author Name(s): Wolf, Robert Leopold, Mrs.
Subject(s): Thoreau, Henry David (1817-1862)


Birds trailed him with their ardent wings and made
A singing storm around him, when he came
To Walden Pond, and after him, like flame
Their singing followed under Walden shade.
And every spring returned to him the same
Blue herons, tall and hesitant and tame;
With his blue shadow, as he moved, there swayed
Fishes who loved the gloom his body made.

But men who scan his words with cautious eyes
Forbid their winged hearts to understand.
They never flocked like birds to touch his hand
Simple and sure and musically wise.

He lived, and was a stranger in this land --
Above his hut a startled heron flies.





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