Seven American Poems

Gone, gone again is Summer the lovely,
She that knew not where to hide
Is gone again like a jewelled fish from the hand,
Is lost on ev'ry side.

Mute, mute I make my way to the garden,
Thither where she last was seen;
The heavy foot of the frost is on the flags there
Where her light step has been.

Gone, gone again is Summer the lovely,
Gone again on ev'ry side,
Lost again, like a shining fish from the hand
Into the shadowy tide.

This I do being mad,
Gather baubles about me.
Sit in a circle of toys,
And all this time
Death beating the door in.

White jade ... and an orange pitcher,
Hindu idol, Chinese god,
May-be next year when I am richer
Carved beads ... and a lotus pod.
And all this time
Death beating the door in.

I drank from ev'ry vine.
The last was like the first.
I came upon no wine
So wonderful as thirst.

I gnawed at ev'ry root.
I ate of ev'ry plant.
I came upon no fruit
So wonderful as want.

Feed the grape and bean to
the vintner and monger,
I will lie down lean with
my thirst and my hunger.

[Withouten]1 you
No rose can grow;
No leaf be green
If never seen
Your sweetest face;
No bird have grace
Or [power]2 to sing;
Or anything
Be kind, or fair,
And you nowhere.

Rain comes down . . . and hushes the town . . .
And where is the voice ... that I heard crying?
Snow settles over the nettles ...
Where is the voice that I heard crying?

Sand at last on the drifting mast ...
And where is the voice that I heard crying?
Earth now on the busy brow, ...
And where is the voice ... that I heard crying?

One thing comes
And another thing goes;
Frosts in November
Drive away the rose;
Like a blowing ember ...
The windflower blows
And drives away the snows.

It is sad to remember
And sorrowful to pray;
Let us laugh and be merry,
Who have seen today
The last of the cherry
And the first of the may;
And neither one will stay.

Being young and green I said in love's despite;
Never in the world will I to living wight
Give over, air my mind to any one,
Hang out its ancient secrets in the strong wind
To be shredded and faded.
Oh me invaded and sacked by the wind and sun.