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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


BALLADE OF THE DREAMLAND ROSE by WILLIAM BRIAN HOOKER

First Line: WHERE THE WAVES OF BURNING CLOUD ARE ROLLED
Last Line: A PETAL FALLS FROM THE DREAMLAND ROSE.
Subject(s): FLOWERS; ROSES; YALE UNIVERSITY;

Where the waves of burning cloud are rolled
On the further shore of the sunset sea,
In a land of wonder that none behold,
There blooms a rose on the Dreamland Tree
That stands in the Garden of Mystery
Where the River of Slumber softly flows;
And whenever a dream has come to be,
A petal falls from the Dreamland Rose.

In the heart of the tree, on a branch of gold,
A silvern bird sings endlessly
A mystic song that is ages old,
A mournful song in a minor key,
Full of the glamour of faery;
And whenever a dreamer's ears unclose
To the sound of that distant melody,
A petal falls from the Dreamland Rose.

Dreams and visions in hosts untold
Throng around on the moonlit lea:
Dreams of age that are calm and cold,
Dreams of youth that are fair and free --
Dark with a lone heart's agony,
Bright with a hope that no one knows --
And whenever a dream and a dream agree,
A petal falls from the Dreamland Rose.

ENVOI

Princess, you gaze in a reverie
Where the drowsy firelight redly glows;
Slowly you raise your eyes to me....
A petal falls from the Dreamland Rose.



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