As to a bird's song she were listening, Her beautiful head is ever sidewise bent; Her questioning eyes lift up their depths intent -- She, who will never hear the wild-birds sing. My words within her ears' cold chambers ring Faint, with the city's murmurous sub-tones blent; Though with such sounds as suppliants may have sent To high-throned goddesses, my speech takes wing. Not for the side-poised head's appealing grace I gaze, nor hair where fire in shadow lies -- For her this world's unhallowed noises base Melt into silence; not our groans, our cries, Our curses, reach that high-removed place Where dwells her spirit, innocently wise. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...REMEMBERED WOMEN by CARL SANDBURG A HYMN FOR PROCESSION WITH CROSS AND BANNERS by SABINE BARING-GOULD SONNET TO LAKE LEMAN by GEORGE GORDON BYRON THE ROLLING ENGLISH ROAD by GILBERT KEITH CHESTERTON THE FIVE STUDENTS by THOMAS HARDY TO ANTHEA [WHO MAY COMMAND HIM ANYTHING] by ROBERT HERRICK |