Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE LAKES by FRANK WILMOT

First Line: SOME LAZY CORMORANT LOW-FLAPPING, BREAKS
Last Line: NO SONGS, NO SONGS TO-DAY.'

SOME lazy cormorant low-flapping, breaks
This tranquil silence to a thousand noises,
And splashes terror down the slumbering lakes
Whereo'er a slow moon poises.

The boats move out, or pause, or wander away,
Where plaited ripples melt in one another; --
Or some hang moodily against the quay
Like puppies to their mother.

Beauty is broken, loveliness is lone!
How the mild music of your voice befriended
The gorgeous dawns of love we here have known --
And everything is ended.

To-morrow, when I ask of bud or bracken
Some word, or look, or colour, I hear them say:
'We have no secrets for you; all are taken;
No songs, no songs to-day.'



Home: PoetryExplorer.net