First thunders spoke at half-past one On the sixth day; the new sun Burned white behind great silver clouds; And clattering softly in the crowds Of trees and droning on the meadow The first frail rain spread like a shadow Till suddenly it was released Upward within a wide white mist Leaving sharp colours and new smells. Pink snails looked out from their blue shells; Two wide geese, brilliant from their bath, Came rocking down a Thumb-scooped path, Their stiff steps shattering the bright Green puddles there. The air flowed white. The apple tree (just blossoming) Became a strange, star-glittering thing. . . . When the rain's singing scarce was over They stared irresolute from cover. The man leapt forth and gave a cry And wallowed in the weeds to dry. But Eve stood tiptoe under a slim Wind-ruffled arc with a red rim And screamed in terror, seeing such A beautiful thing she could not touch. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BATTLE OF LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN [NOVEMBER 24, 1863] by GEORGE HENRY BOKER OLD SUSAN by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE ODE FOR MEMORIAL DAY by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR ON HEARING A LITTLE MUSIC-BOX by JAMES HENRY LEIGH HUNT SONNETS ON PICTURES: MARY MAGDALEN AT THE DOOR OF SIMON THE PHARISEE by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI THE OWL (1) by ALFRED TENNYSON |