Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE FLIGHT OF THE GEESE by CHARLES GEORGE DOUGLAS ROBERTS

First Line: I HEAR THE LOW WIND WASH THE SOFTENING SNOW
Last Line: A BODING OF UNKNOWN, FORESHADOWED THINGS.
Subject(s): GEESE; MIGRATION;
I HEAR the low wind wash the softening snow,
The low tide loiter down the shore. The night,
Full filled with April forecast hath no light,
The salt wave on the sedge-flat pulses slow.
Through the hid furrows lisp in murmurous flow
The thaw's shy ministers; and hark! The height
Of heaven grows weird and loud with unseen flight
Of strong hosts prophesying as they go!
High through the drenched and hollow night their wings
Beat northward hard on winter's trail. The sound
Of their confused and solemn voices, borne
Athwart the dark to their long arctic morn,
Comes with a sanction and an awe profound,
A boding of unknown, foreshadowed things.


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