ACROSS my prison window they have flashed The white wings of a gull homing seaward. I remember the ancient legend— The gull has caught in its wings the sunlight. This legend has come before to my ears; Not to my heart. Now I understand, And know what beauty means, and the joy that beauty brings. The nail that secretly I drew from my boot-heel. And was sharp'ning—between the turns of the sentry— That it might pierce to the heart and bring peace, I shall fling away. The gull may pass my window again. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NOT TRANSHISTORICAL DEATH, OR AT LEAST NOT QUITE by HAYDEN CARRUTH TRANSLUCENT FINGERS by MALCOLM COWLEY SONNET TO THOSE WHO SEE BUT DARKLY by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON TO MY CLASS: ON CERTAIN FRUITS AND FLOWERS SENT ... SICKNESS by SIDNEY LANIER SURFACES AND MASKS; 6 by CLARENCE MAJOR DOMESDAY BOOK: HENRY BAKER, AT NEW YORK by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |