Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


OUTLOOK by IVAN SWIFT

First Line: AS THOUGH WITH NEW EYES I HAVE SEEN THE DAWN
Last Line: OLD SUFFERER, OLD SAGE, OLD HOROSCOPE!
Subject(s): YOUTH;

As though with new eyes I have seen the dawn
Announced from western skies above the lake;
And bright vermilion ships of consort drawn
Along the line determined by the rake
Of shining spars and thread of island reef:
All gold and calm save where an off-shore draft
Lays bluer patterns of fan-palm leaf
Beyond the rock and stirring sea-gull's raft.

So have I now, as not before surmised,
A new and fearless youth released of pain;
Heedless of speculative ends long prized
And grief begot of ease and idle hope:
As when I turn the pages of Montaigne --
Old sufferer, old sage, old horoscope!



Home: PoetryExplorer.net