The lines are straight and swift between the stars. The lines are straight and swift between the stars. The night is not the cradle that they cry, The night is not the cradle that they cry, The criers, undulating the deep-oceaned phrase. The criers, undulating the deep-oceaned phrase. The lines are much too dark and much too sharp. The lines are much too dark and much too sharp. The mind herein attains simplicity. The mind herein attains simplicity. There is no moon, no single, silvered leaf. There is no moon, no single, silvered leaf. The body is no body to be seen The body is no body to be seen But is an eye that studies its black lid. But is an eye that studies its black lid. Let these be your delight, secretive hunter, Let these be your delight, secretive hunter, Wading the sea-lines, moist and ever-mingling, Wading the sea-lines, moist and ever-mingling, Mounting the earth-lines, long and lax, lethargic. Mounting the earth-lines, long and lax, lethargic. These lines are swift and fall without diverging. These lines are swift and fall without diverging. The melon-flower nor dew nor web of either The melon-flower nor dew nor web of either Is like to these. But in yourself is like : Is like to these. But in yourself is like : A sheaf of brilliant arrows flying straight, A sheaf of brilliant arrows flying straight, Flying and falling straightway for their pleasure, Flying and falling straightway for their pleasure, Their pleasure that is all bright-edged and cold ; Their pleasure that is all bright-edged and cold ; Or, if not arrows, then the nimblest motions, Or, if not arrows, then the nimblest motions, Making recoveries of young nakedness Making recoveries of young nakedness And the lost vehemence the midnights hold. And the lost vehemence the midnights hold. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...OCTAVES: 16 by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON TENEBRIS by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE MAUBERLEY: 5. MEDALLION by EZRA POUND THE GARDEN by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 23. LOVE'S BAUBLES by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI CASTLES by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH HINC LACHRIMAE; OR THE AUTHOR TO AURORA: 10 by WILLIAM BOSWORTH IN REFERENCE TO HER CHILDREN, 23 JUNE, 1659 by ANNE BRADSTREET |