 | [Exile, in] Readings from California Poets |  |
115
EXILE.
Under heavy eyelids lie
Glowing breadths of tropic sky;
A cloud-like incense in the west;
An isle upon the Ocean's breast;
Long, crested waves, that haste to reach
And perish on a snow-white beach.
A shining shallop, trim and frail,
Borne down upon a spicy gale;
Two lovers in the ocean vast—
Two lovers loving well at last
Within the shadow of the sail.
Glowing breadths of tropic sky;
A cloud-like incense in the west;
An isle upon the Ocean's breast;
Long, crested waves, that haste to reach
And perish on a snow-white beach.
A shining shallop, trim and frail,
Borne down upon a spicy gale;
Two lovers in the ocean vast—
Two lovers loving well at last
Within the shadow of the sail.
Under heavy eyelids creep
Fitful shadows fraught with sleep;
Subtle odors in the air
Pause and tremble everywhere;
Melancholy night-birds sing;
Fire-flies are on the wing;
Fragrant dells of turf and fern
Where the cactus blossoms burn;
Two lovers fleeing from the past—
Two lovers loving well at last
Shall never to the world return.
Fitful shadows fraught with sleep;
Subtle odors in the air
Pause and tremble everywhere;
Melancholy night-birds sing;
Fire-flies are on the wing;
Fragrant dells of turf and fern
Where the cactus blossoms burn;
Two lovers fleeing from the past—
Two lovers loving well at last
Shall never to the world return.
Charles Warren Stoddard.
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