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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE CARILLON by BEATRICE WITTE RAVENEL

First Line: THE STEEPLE SCATTERS ITS DOVES
Last Line: YOUR WINGS RIDE THE AIR.
Subject(s): BELLS;

The steeple scatters its doves
Like an overblown rosetree
When the chime moves.

She must bear music alone,
Shutting her chamber windows
Now you are gone?

Gone -- but your memory sings,
Overtones, life of her living,
A belfry of wings.

Ghosts should be seemly, still,
But wild in her heart you are waking
At the chime's will.

And rapt as a pair
Of doves with the carillon pealing
Your wings ride the air.



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