Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, LETTERS, by AMOS RUSSEL WELLS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LETTERS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: What is a letter? A bridge in the night
Last Line: They are preserved in the mansions above!
Subject(s): Letters


What is a letter? A bridge in the night
From my soul to your soul; and over it go
Envoys of darkness or envoys of light,
Ladings of blessing or burdens of woe.

What is a letter? A signal, a flash
Darting directly from your soul to mine,
Meaningless, meaningful, prudent or rash,
Always a boding or jubilant sign.

What is a letter? A flip of the pen?
Paper and mucilage? That and no more?
Nay; 'tis the fatefulest action of men,
Reaching eternity's ultimate shore!

Burn the old letters? Alas, if you could!
Burn up indifference, malice, or hate?
Once they might burn, or be altered to good, --
Ere they were written! but now is too late.

Burn the old letters? the missives of cheer,
Glowing with merriment, pulsing with love?
Nay! though the paper disintegrates here,
They are preserved in the mansions above!





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