Here in the shelter of tall, towering trees Shut in from all the world's activities I wait expectantly: soon I shall hear High up in some tall cedar, sweet and clear, Piercing the denseness of the forest's hush, Your flute-like vesper song, O Hermit Thrush! Dear recluse of the forest, your sweet song Dwells in my heart, abiding, constant strong: You soar to heights of beauty found by few—— A flash of dull-brown wings against the blue, A sudden sweetness flung out on the night. A burst of praise, a rush of wings in flight! All the cool stillness of the wooded hills The rapturous music of your message fills. Small, golden-throated hermit of the wood. If by some magic mystery I could Gather those silvery notes close in my hand To scatter broadcast over sea and land! Measured and strong your evening anthem climbs Note over note, in wild and unphrased rhymes That tremble into music as you sing Your sunset message with triumphant ring; Those lovely, lilting, swaying notes that rush To form your hymn of praise, O Hermit Thrush! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SITTING by CECIL DAY LEWIS THE MAN TO BE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON TWO POEMS FROM THE WAR: 1 by ARCHIBALD MACLEISH WHEN I WAS A BIRD by KATHERINE MANSFIELD DOMESDAY BOOK: THE VERDICT by EDGAR LEE MASTERS VICTOR RAFOLSKI ON ART by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |