Upon a rugged hill-side A farmer sought his sheep, And clambered over boulders Where ivy tendrils creep. He plucked a tiny flower As he was passing by: "How palely blue," he mumured, "It is a speck of sky." He felt the boulders tremble, And saw the mountain yawn Like some enormous giant Awakening at dawn. With knees that trembled slightly He started to explore . . . Then dropped the pale blue flower Upon the cavern floor. Beyond him stood a coffer Piled high with shining gold -- He crammed until his pockets Held all that they could hold. The flower lay unheeded. She piped, "Forget me not!" But, never looking backward, He left the magic spot, And staggered into twilight Gray-blue as ware of delft Then with a noise of thunder The grotto closed itself. He purchased wine and women, But never bought a song; And since his wealth has vanished, The nights are dull and long. And no one can interpret The hobby-horse he rides: He seeks for pale blue flowers Upon the mountain sides. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE STARLIGHT NIGHT by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS COMMON DUST by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON EPITAPHS OF THE WAR, 1914-18: CONVOY ESCORT by RUDYARD KIPLING THE DREARY CHANGE by WALTER SCOTT WHEN HELEN LIVED by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS EMBLEMS OF LOVE: 8. BE QUICK AND SURE by PHILIP AYRES ON THE DEATH OF MR. WOODWARD, AT EDINBURGH by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD |