Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

VARIATIONS: 7 by CONRAD AIKEN

Poet Analysis

First Line: RED LEAF, RED LEAF, FALLING TO FLOAT
Last Line: ROSE DARKLY BEFORE US.
Subject(s): MOON;
Red leaf, red leaf, falling to float
On the blue water among the cold clouds . . .
If I were a child I would call you a boat
And sail to the moon . . .

I would sail to the moon with the dark king's daughter,
The beautiful dreamer with green-slippered feet;
Her long golden hair would shine on the water;
Her eyes would be blue;

And there she would sing, while the sail overhead
Swelled with the wind, and the green waves flashed;
Her red lips would sing, till the isle of the dead
Rose darkly before us.



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