Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE POET TO THE READER, by GEORGE EDWARD WOODBERRY


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE POET TO THE READER, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Full many a poem have I made
Last Line: Save when two mingle, soul in soul.
Subject(s): Creation; Poetry & Poets; Soul


FULL many a poem have I made
That never by the world was heard;
I am the Fowler, not the Bird;
I am the Body, not the Shade.

The image is an outward thing
Though in a magic mirror shown;
But in their essence were they known,
Poets their lyres would downward fling.

Their choiring breath, their star-girt glow
Is matter's; and their songs repeat
Pulsations of the ringing feet
That through creation run and go.

For only thus can mortals hear
The music, and the rapture guess
Of the invisible loveliness
Whose shadows enter eye and ear.

Lo, beauty's grace and love's desire
Are but the singing robes I don;
Apart, the soul, its vesture gone,
Sits naked in creative fire.

For it, the soul, is increate,
And when in music it takes form,
Mortals are ravished in the storm
Of harmony at heaven's gate.

But could they hear the song I sing
When all apart I tune the lyre,
Their sluggard veins would run with fire,
And from their lips the soul take wing.

And were there one with power to bear
The full contagion of my breast,
Such glory would his arms invest
As if he clasped an angel there.

For though my music world-wide roll,
By thy own heart must it be sung;
The master chord remains unstrung
Save when two mingle, soul in soul.




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