Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


BESSARABIA by EDNA DEAN PROCTOR

First Line: HERE THE WHITE CATTLE GRAZE THAT FEED
Last Line: THAT LURKS BESIDE THE WAY.
Subject(s): BESSARABIA; RUSSIA; SOVIET UNION; RUSSIANS;

HERE the white cattle graze that feed
The Austrian Kaiser's towns,
Close-watched by dogs alert to leap
If but the herder frowns;
And here the shepherd tends his flock
While the long days go by, --
Now couched beside them in the plain,
Now on the khourgans high.
The plover calls across the steppe;
The stork, with snowy breast,
Flies northward to the kindly roof
That holds her summer nest;
But nothing stirs his drowsy blood
Unless a lamb should stray,
Then woe to wolf or gypsy thief
That lurks beside the way.



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