This is not a path for heedless going -- A spur of rock, a blackly naked root Or crumbling ledge would snare the idle foot -- But lovelier reasons: one would not miss knowing Where star flowers lean against a shaggy shoulder Of old oak stump, or emerald shadows turn, Nearer, to feathery fountain-sprays of fern, Or mosses robe the knees of some gray boulder. This is not a path for eager seeking -- Here where wood violets peer from grassy dusk, And sweet earth smells taunt every breeze, like musk, There is no need for search, nor hurried speaking: Feet stumbling blindly, heavy with new-found sorrow, Need only pause, or follow through the winding Fragrance and hush, to earn reward in finding Healing and peace toward the unwished-for tomorrow. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LOVE SONNETS OF PROTEUS: 55. ST. VALENTINE'S DAY by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT IN THE HOLY NATIVITY [OF OUR LORD GOD]; AS SUNG BY SHEPHERDS by RICHARD CRASHAW KEARNY AT SEVEN PINES [MAY 31, 1862] by EDMUND CLARENCE STEDMAN A QUESTION by JOHN MILLINGTON SYNGE LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY by JOHN KENDRICK BANGS HARMONIE DU SOIR by CHARLES BAUDELAIRE THE JOY-VENDER by ABBIE FARWELL BROWN |