Alchemy snared me with a spell, Where heaven began, I could not tell, Where water ended I could not see; Both were above and under me. For I was floating late and far Where there was neither shore nor star. The depthless valleys far below, The ether's endless vertigo, I fled from both. With senses dim Like on in a primeval sleep, I silently began to swim Reptilian across the deep. Suddenly loomed from the vast haze A hill to meet my searching gaze, And finding I could safely stand I climbed, a man, to the dry land. Then the warm air pressed round me And in leafy fragrance drowned me. I felt my rigid thews relent In the more kindly element, And I distinquished, solid, sweet, The planet earth beneath my feet, Calm that I at last might be Vertical like bush and tree, Not horizontal, on a sea. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...VIGNETTES OVERSEAS: 2. OFF ALGIERS by SARA TEASDALE THE YANKEE'S RETURN FROM CAMP [JUNE, 1775] by EDWARD BANGS MY LAST DUCHESS; FERRRA by ROBERT BROWNING ELEGY ON THYRZA by GEORGE GORDON BYRON LEARNING TO READ by FRANCES ELLEN WATKINS HARPER |