Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, LOVE IN A ZEPPELIN, by GEORGE SYLVESTER VIERECK


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LOVE IN A ZEPPELIN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Below us rolled the earth. We were
Last Line: May share his immortality.
Subject(s): Dirigibles


BELOW us rolled the earth. We were
Like clouds above the dust and din.
We heard Saint Peter's violin,
For Heaven's gate drew near us there:
We rode upon the Zeppelin,
The strong-ribbed dolphin of the air.
A magic carpet was the plain,
Men crawled like ants that seemed to doze.
A thousand poplars stood in rows
Like soldiers marching in a lane.
Your mouth, the envy of the rose,
Drank in the sunshine llke champagne.
And then the glass grew bright for us
With wine. Like happy boy and maid
We drank to all hearts unafraid
Who bravely walk the perilous
Ways of the air to shame the shade
Of Phaethon and Icarus.
Leander for his Love's sake hurled
Himself into the deep, but I
More blessed than Hero's lover, fly
Above green meadows dew-bepearled,
While at my side I clasp on high
The fairest lady in the world.
God's lifted finger, looms a spire,
And now the city's windows gleam.
Our shadow races with the stream
And still the ship climbs high and higher,
But not so high as soars my dream,
But not so swift as my desire.
My lady laughs. Oh Cruel One:
All ships pay toll unto the sea,
But I can build a craft for thee,
That earth itself shall not outrun,
And lift on wings of melody
My heart's desire to the sun.
All ships pay toll unto the sea,
Death sounds the last bell of delight;
Like the earth earthy, and the night,
Love's pleasant face at last shall be:
But she who shares a poet's flight
May share his immortality.






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