Tall and lithe he stood there, swaying like a reed in the wind; Like a willowy brown reed, shaken and moved by the wind. Below him a sea of eager faces rippled and moved Like the languorous waters of the river On whose banks he had played as his father had played Till he now sat withered and feeble, Like a broken reed for which the wind was too strong. Trembling, yet unafraid he stood, His calm gaze going out beyond the upturned faces of the people Who had gathered to hear him sing. His mouth opened and there was an outpour of melody Like the ripple of lucid water over grey stones, Now soft like the rivers flow Through the great sandy bottoms dotted with corn; Then higher, ever upward, a beating vibrant call Silvery clear as the trumpeting of wild geese Flying south through the night sky. On it goes until the spirits of listeners are carried To the foot of the cross, where hangs a man In the agony of death. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A MINOR POET by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET THE CITY REVISITED by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET POSSUM SONG (A WARNING) by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON DOWN BY THE CARIB SEA: 5. THE DANCING GIRL by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON PRAYER AT SUNRISE by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON STREET-CRIES: 7. A SONG OF LOVE by SIDNEY LANIER TO TWO UNKNOWN LADIES by AMY LOWELL |