A brotherhood of bleached, air-scourged peaks In desolation watch the Illyrian sea. Them twice the lidless day brings ecstasy; Their leperous fronts but twice a splendor freaks. Once, when the anguish-heedful dawn unspeaks Their woe with rich, deep-blushed divinity; Again, when 'neath eve's balm they tower free Like Tyrian tents of purple-amorous sheiks. As they with light, so man with vision twice Scorns pain. First, when the bowl of life in bliss Youth holds, sees all -- grape, dregs, and sleepy spice -- Then stoops his head to drink as tho' to kiss. And last, when to the verge of death he strives, Pauses to gaze adown, and, smiling, dives. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MY FATHER'S FACE by HAYDEN CARRUTH ON TALK OF PEACE AT THIS TIME by ROBERT FROST WHAT THING A BIRD WOULD LOVE by ROBERT FROST LITTLE SON by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON GHOSTS OF THE OLD YEAR by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON |