Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE NATURALIST by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: IN GENTLEST WORSHIP HAS HE BOWED
Last Line: LIFTS WILL HE HEAR AND COMPREHEND.
Subject(s): FORESTS; NATURE; PEACE; WOODS;
IN gentlest worship has he bowed
To Nature. Rescued from the crowd
And din of town and thoroughfare,
He turns him from all worldly care
Unto the sacred fastness of
The forests, and the peace and love
That breathes there prayer-like in the breeze
And coo of doves in dreamful trees --
Their tops in laps of sunshine laid,
Their lower boughs all slaked with shade.

With head uncovered has he stood,
Hearing the Spirit of the Wood --
Hearing aright the Master speak
In trill of bird, and warbling creek;
In lisp of reeds, or rainy sigh
Of grasses as the loon darts by --
Hearing aright the storm and lull,
And all earth's voices wonderful, --
Even this hail an unknown friend
Lifts will he hear and comprehend.



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