University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
Collected poems by Vachel Lindsay

revised and illustrated edition
Lindsay, Vachel (1879-1931)

collapse section 
[section]
  
[dedication]
  
INVOCATION FOR “THE MAP OF THE UNIVERSE”
  
TO EVE, MAN'S DREAM OF WIFEHOOD AS DESCRIBED BY MILTON
expand section 
JOHNNY APPLESEED'S WIFE OF THE MIND
  
JOHNNY APPLESEED'S HYMN TO THE SUN
  
JOHNNY APPLESEED'S SHIP COMES IN
  
JOHNNY APPLESEED SPEAKS OF THE APPLEBLOSSOM AMARANTH THAT WILL COME TO THIS CITY
  
JOHNNY APPLESEED'S WIFE FROM THE PALACE OF EVE
  
JOHNNY APPLESEED SPEAKS OF GREAT CITIES IN THE FUTURE
  
HOW JOHNNY APPLESEED WALKED ALONE IN THE JUNGLES OF HEAVEN
  
PARVENU
collapse section 
COLLECTED POEMS
expand section1. 
SECTION I NIGHTINGALES
expand section2. 
SECTION II ORATIONS, COLLEGE WAR-CRIES, AND OLYMPIC GAMES
expand section3. 
SECTION III LITANY OF THE HEROES
expand section4. 
SECTION IV VERSES OF AN ESPECIALLY INSCRIPTIONAL CHARACTER
collapse section5. 
SECTION V MOON-POEMS
  
TO GLORIANA
  
EUCLID
  
THE HAUGHTY SNAIL-KING
  
WHAT THE RATTLESNAKE SAID
  
DRYING THEIR WINGS
  
WHAT THE GRAY-WINGED FAIRY SAID
  
A SENSE OF HUMOR
  
WHAT THE CLOWN SAID
  
ON THE GARDEN WALL
  
WRITTEN FOR A MUSICIAN
  
THE MOON IS A PAINTER
  
THE ENCYCLOPÆDIA
  
WHAT THE MINER IN THE DESERT SAID
  
WHAT THE COAL-HEAVER SAID
  
WHAT THE MOON SAW
  
THE OLD HORSE IN THE CITY
  
THE ROSE OF MIDNIGHT
  
THE PATH IN THE SKY
  
WHAT THE HYENA SAID
  
WHAT THE SNOW MAN SAID
  
WHAT THE SCARECROW SAID
  
WHAT GRANDPA MOUSE SAID
  
THE BEGGAR SPEAKS
  
WHAT THE FORESTER SAID
  
CAUGHT IN A NET
  
MY LADY IN HER WHITE SILK SHAWL
  
BEYOND THE MOON
  
WHAT SEMIRAMIS SAID
  
WHAT THE GHOST OF THE GAMBLER SAID
  
THE STRENGTH OF THE LONELY
  
WHAT THE SEXTON SAID
  
THE SCISSORS-GRINDER
  
The Censer-Moon
expand section6. 
SECTION VI INCENSE AND PRAISE, AND WHIM, AND GLORY
expand section7. 
SECTION VII RUNES OF THE ROAD
expand section8. 
SECTION VIII HOME TOWN
expand section9. 
SECTION IX POLITICS
expand section10. 
SECTION X SONGS BASED ON CARTOONS, BILL-BOARDS, AND AMERICAN HIEROGLYPHICS, AND MOTION-PICTURES
expand section11. 
SECTION XI A SONG BASED ON EGYPTIAN HIEROGLYPHICS:

collapse section Collapse All | Expand All expand section
previous section Collected poems by Vachel Lindsay
next section

WHAT SEMIRAMIS SAID

The moon's a steaming chalice
Of honey and venom-wine.
A little of it sipped by night
Makes the long hours divine.
But oh, my reckless lovers,
They drain the cup and wail,
Die at my feet with shaking limbs
And tender lips all pale.
Above them in the sky it bends
Empty and gray and dread.
To-morrow night 'tis full again,
Golden, and foaming red.
previous section Collected poems by Vachel Lindsay
next section