The bay was bronzed with sunset, and so light The ripples idled on the gentle tide That we who swam in silence side by side Paused; shifted poise; and, floating, lost our sight In a vast well of blue, benign and bright, Just ere it faded and the clouds were dyed Saffron and crimson. With one gasp we cried, "Thus eagles float, through heavens of pure delight!" Then, with the splendor of a falling star, Great wings swept down; a muffled engine whirred; And, iridescent as a humming-bird, A biplane swooped upon us, veered, and fled Chanting Man's realized dream. ... Yet higher far We soared, upbuoyed on waters sunset-red! |