Once it was sweet when darkness veiled the hills To pause and muse beside a star-paved stream, Where young frog-tenors practised runs and trills And fire-fly lanterns flashed with elfin gleam. Then, darkness wafted odors lovelier By far than were the fragrances of day; Then, stillness tangible as gossamer Enfolded earth when Night assumed her sway. But now night's calm is shattered by the roar Of wind-swift, man-created steeds of steel Whose noxious, acrid exhalations pour Pollution on the air; and yet we feel Convinced that if night's charms should be restored Missing life's comforts, we would just be bored. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE MODERN MAJOR-GENERAL, FR. THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE by WILLIAM SCHWENCK GILBERT UPON JULIA'S VOICE by ROBERT HERRICK ON THE DEATH OF A METAPHYSICIAN by GEORGE SANTAYANA ON IMAGINATION by PHILLIS WHEATLEY |