Deep in a valley flanked by rolling hills He had a gay retreat, a secret nook Where flowers nodded; silly whippoorwills Called merrily. A saucy tempting brook Beguiled him when knee-deep he tried to wade To hook the sportive trout. And there he stood As care-free as the wind that wanton strayed, Where Nature healed his scars, and life was good. Too often would the city call him back Away from Nature to a world of greed, Where masters of colossal business crack Their stinging whips of ruthlessness and speed. When bruised and beaten by his strife with men, He sought his gay retreat -- found peace again. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE HIGHWAY DEATH TOLL by KAREN SWENSON BEFORE THE RAIN by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH BY THE FIRESIDE by ROBERT BROWNING ON SEEING THE SUN SHINE ... MY WINDOW FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE YEAR by LUCY AIKEN THE SECOND DAYES LAMENTATION OF THE AFFECTIONATE SHEPHEARD by RICHARD BARNFIELD SELF-COMMUNING by CHARLES BAUDELAIRE INHERITANCE by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN HINC LACHRIMAE; OR THE AUTHOR TO AURORA: 39 by WILLIAM BOSWORTH |