I LIKE the Cistercian, who fled From cities that defiled, You find your peace among the hills, Your solace in the wild. II And there, on slow, soft-sandalled feet, The wandering years go by— Bringing you wisdom from the earth, And mirth from sea and sky. III Behind your unbarred cabin-door You rest serene and sage, While far away the world's storms walk In vain and rumbling rage. IV By day you roam the blue hills far, And then beside your fire, Climbing the mountain-peaks of thought, Build cities of desire V Where the heart's black flood-gates cannot pour Their dark, estranging streams— And there you walk, a bidden guest, With starry folk of dreams. VI @3And shepherd-poet—at the last Better have dreams than gold, When God—the Shepherd of the Vast— Bringeth His flock to fold.@1 | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CAPPER KAPLINSKI AT THE NORTH SIDE CUE CLUB by HAYDEN CARRUTH THE INCORRIGIBLE DIRIGIBLE by HAYDEN CARRUTH THE STORY OF THE END OF THE STORY by JAMES GALVIN PROVING by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON AN EXPLANATION by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON |