Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE POET'S JOURNAL: UNDER THE MOON, by BAYARD TAYLOR Poet's Biography First Line: From you and home I sleep afar Last Line: Says in its beating: love is rest. Alternate Author Name(s): Taylor, James Bayard Subject(s): Hearts; Love; Moon; Singing & Singers; Sleep | ||||||||
I. From you and home I sleep afar, Under the light of a lonely star, Under the moon that marvels why Away from you and home I lie. Ah! love no language can declare, The hovering warmth, the tender care, The yielding, sweet, invisible air That clasps your bosom, and fans your cheek With the breath of words I cannot speak, -- Such love I give, such warmth impart: The fragrance of a blossomed heart. II. The moon looks in upon my bed, Her yearning glory rays my head, And round me clings, a lonely light, The aureole of the winter night; But in my heart a gentle pain, A balmier splendor in my brain, Lead me beyond the frosty plane, -- Lead me afar, to mellower skies, Where under the moon a palace lies; Where under the moon our bed is made, Half in splendor and half in shade. III. The marble flags of the corridor Through open windows meet the floor, And Moorish arches in darkness rise Against the gleam of the silver skies: Beyond, in flakes of starry light, A fountain prattles to the night, And dusky cypresses, withdrawn In silent conclave, stud the lawn; While mystic woodlands, more remote, In seas of airy silver float, So hung in heaven, the stars that set Seem glossy leaves the dew has wet On topmost boughs, and sparkling yet. IV. In from the terraced garden blows The spicy soul of the tuberose, As if 't were the odor of strains that pour From the nightingale's throat as never before; For he sings not now of wounding thorn, He sings as the lark in the golden morn, -- A song of joy, a song of bliss, Passionate notes that clasp and kiss, Perfect peace and perfect pride, Love rewarded and satisfied, For I see you, darling, at my side. V. I see you, darling, at my side: I clasp you closer, in sacred pride. I shut my eyes, my senses fail, Becalmed by Night's ambrosial gale. Softer than dews the planets weep, Descends a sweeter peace than sleep; All wandering sounds and motions die In the silent glory of the sky; But, as the moon goes down the West, Your heart, against my happy breast, Says in its beating: Love is Rest. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...YOU'S SWEET TO YO' MAMMY JES DE SAME by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON CHAMBER MUSIC: 3 by JAMES JOYCE CHAMBER MUSIC: 22 by JAMES JOYCE CHAMBER MUSIC: 34 by JAMES JOYCE GOING TO SLEEP by ELIZABETH AKERS ALLEN THE BLUE NAP by WILLIAM MATTHEWS BEDOUIN [LOVE] SONG by BAYARD TAYLOR NATIONAL ODE; INDEPENDENCE SQUARE, PHILADELPHIA by BAYARD TAYLOR |
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