A FLASH of colour through the trees, A step upon the trembling plank, A white sail flapping in the breeze, And then a maiden leaves the bank. Each day I watch her, as she guides Her little boat with dexterous hand, And like a river goddess rides In gracious triumph through the land. I watch her as she lightly tacks, And marvel at the art which steers Her boat into the quiet "backs," And sorrow when it disappears. Who, in the summer evening, knows What gentle feelings fill her breast, Or by what bower the water flows Which bear her dingy to its rest? Perchance a lover, dark and tall, Awaits her in some flower nook, And gazing at her gathers all Her thoughts, as from an open book. Perchance -- I know not learnt her name, I know not where her home may be, For one brief space alone I claim Her beauty, as she passes me. For then the Heaven-winged dreams, which smile And fade in youth's first golden hour, Come back and soothe my soul awhile As the sweet perfume of a flower. And so I watch for her nor care Which Acis tarries down the stream -- Enough to see her, I forswear Thy black emotions, Polypheme! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CHILD MARGARET by CARL SANDBURG THE ELF AND THE DORMOUSE by OLIVER BROOK HERFORD THE PROPHECY OF SAMUEL SEWALL by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER EMBLEMS OF LOVE: 21. 'TIS CONSTANCY THAT GAINS THE PRIZE by PHILIP AYRES THE GOLDEN ODES OF PRE-ISLAMIC ARABIA: TARAFA by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT TULIPS by FRANCES HALLEY BROCKETT OLD AND NEW; THE CENTURY ASSOCIATION, 1847-1897 by WILLIAM ALLEN BUTLER |