 | Poems |  |
29
VESPERS.
The poppies nod their sleepy brows,
And reel adown the opiate air;
The somber lilies slowly rouse,
And fold transparent hands in prayer.
And reel adown the opiate air;
The somber lilies slowly rouse,
And fold transparent hands in prayer.
The climbing roses whisper soft
Sweet messages; the four-o'clocks
Are drowsy now—but far aloft
I see the watchmen-hollyhocks.
Sweet messages; the four-o'clocks
Are drowsy now—but far aloft
I see the watchmen-hollyhocks.
The Moslem-lilacs seem to call
On “Allah” through the red sunset;
They rise upon the turret-wall
Of every leafy minaret.
On “Allah” through the red sunset;
They rise upon the turret-wall
Of every leafy minaret.
The stately tulips at this hour
Forget their pride. With good intent
The haughty dahlias yield their dower—
The dusky peony-queens relent.
Forget their pride. With good intent
The haughty dahlias yield their dower—
The dusky peony-queens relent.
30
A thousand lights are swung in view
From heaven's dome. I leave the fair
Meek violets kneeling in the dew;
It is the evening hour of prayer.
From heaven's dome. I leave the fair
Meek violets kneeling in the dew;
It is the evening hour of prayer.
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