 | Voices and visions |  |
115
A BOY'S THOUGHTS OF LIFE
The years have left me a boy no longer; yet boyhood lingers in breast and brain,—
Dear careless boyhood, that soon must perish, and clothe its parting with tender pain!
Dear careless boyhood, that soon must perish, and clothe its parting with tender pain!
A few more morrows, and I shall wonder how mirth and frolic so long could stay,—
From skies familiar the same sun shining, yet ah, not shining the same sweet way!
From skies familiar the same sun shining, yet ah, not shining the same sweet way!
'Tis no real sadness that steals to warn me; it half is pleasure and half regret,
As though a welcome had met a farewell, and intermingled when they had met.
As though a welcome had met a farewell, and intermingled when they had met.
For while gay fancies may from the future delight and longing my spirit bring,
I'm like a nestling whose wings unfolded feel yet the nest-warmth about them cling.
I'm like a nestling whose wings unfolded feel yet the nest-warmth about them cling.
This life that waits me, I yearn to know it; my heart is with it, my hope is there;
The large winds float it across my forehead, with tingle of nostrils, caress of hair.
The large winds float it across my forehead, with tingle of nostrils, caress of hair.
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It moves in mornings; it speaks in starlight; it lurks in sunset's fantastic hues;
I hear it murmur through swaying tree-tops; I watch it sparkle from roadside dews!
I hear it murmur through swaying tree-tops; I watch it sparkle from roadside dews!
All nature tells me my altered impulse, my manhood's heirdoms to gifts unguessed;
The streams in flowing, the blooms in blowing, are rich with prophecies half-confessed!
The streams in flowing, the blooms in blowing, are rich with prophecies half-confessed!
I listen, I tremble with expectation; the secret answer I vainly plead!
To learn that answer is to have lived it;—to live it nobly were life indeed!
To learn that answer is to have lived it;—to live it nobly were life indeed!
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