THINK no thought of her Whatsoever, Foolish wanderer, If you still have hope to find Any peace within your mind. She is vain and frail— (I know her!) She will fade and fail; As a bloodroot blown apart She will scatter from your heart. Go—in glades of fern Seek cover, Lest the sun burn— Lest the river drown you deep In its shadows full of sleep. Where the leaves are cool, Dew-crested, Near a still pool, With the moving, watching things, Listen to their whisperings; But be silent. Stand Deep rooted. Clasp with either hand Saplings, tall and thin of stem; Lean upon the strength of them. Let them bear the weight Of your longing; They are tall and straight... In their province, green and dim, What is any woman's whim? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AND THE GREATEST OF THESE IS WAR by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON CONSECRATED GROUND; READ AT THE NEW YORK CITY HALL by EDWIN MARKHAM THE NIGHT MOTHS by EDWIN MARKHAM SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: AMI GREEN by EDGAR LEE MASTERS TO MILITARY PROGRESS by MARIANNE MOORE |