My thoughts came drifting down the Prison where I lay -- Through the Windows of their Wings the stars were shining -- The wings bore me away -- the russet Wings and grey With feathers like the moon-bleached Flowers -- I was a God reclining: Beneath me lay my Body's Chain and all the Dragons born of Pain As I burned through the Prison Roof to walk on Pavement Shining. The Wild Wind of Liberty swept through my Hair and sang beyond: I heard the Souls of men asleep chattering in the Eaves And rode on topmost Boughs of Heaven's single-moon-fruited Silver Wand, Night's unifying Tree whereof the central Stars be leaves -- O Thoughts, Thoughts, Thoughts, -- Fire-angel-birds relent less -- Will you not brood in God's Star-tree and leave Red Heart tormentless! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...EROS (1) by RALPH WALDO EMERSON SONNET: TO SLEEP by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH WHAT THEY ASK by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS A PEASANT WOMAN'S SONG by DION BOUCICAULT THE DISTURBED WASP; TO WILLIAM BEEBE by ANNE MILLAY BREMER EPOGRAM; LINES WRITTEN ON A WINDOW AT THE KING'S ARMS, DUMFRIES by ROBERT BURNS COMPENSATION by JOSEPH SEAMON COTTER JR. |