 | Poems (1931) |  |
20
THE ENGLISH HEDGE
Cornel of bitter fruit and ruddy hues;
music of its hidden zithers these;
coral, and even ruby, manganese,
which cherry-cheeks and apple-skins suffuse.
music of its hidden zithers these;
coral, and even ruby, manganese,
which cherry-cheeks and apple-skins suffuse.
Stride of bramble in its summer march
along the wall of leaves and down the bank
pushes its tender thrust and pearly fangs
dust, drought & weariness at length shall parch.
along the wall of leaves and down the bank
pushes its tender thrust and pearly fangs
dust, drought & weariness at length shall parch.
Another summer nobly spring, and haul
a road where alder, maple, yew construct
the rigid scaffolding for usufruct
of lissom vines to spread upon and sprawl.
a road where alder, maple, yew construct
the rigid scaffolding for usufruct
of lissom vines to spread upon and sprawl.
Glistening holly, floury wayfarer.
So chicory whispers of a dim-lit home;
so clematis, which rears enchanted foam.
Its smothering mantles load the listening air.
So chicory whispers of a dim-lit home;
so clematis, which rears enchanted foam.
Its smothering mantles load the listening air.
21
Yet choose you not black bryony, the vine
of vines in all the hedge if there be choice
of things that grow and force a man rejoice
to make selection: such a plant is mine.
of vines in all the hedge if there be choice
of things that grow and force a man rejoice
to make selection: such a plant is mine.
Your crotchet leans upon its cable length,
essays its toughness and its heavy fruit,
the mighty weaving of its limbs, the brute
determination of its supple strength,
essays its toughness and its heavy fruit,
the mighty weaving of its limbs, the brute
determination of its supple strength,
and sinewy purpose not to be displaced.
Leaves gay shields at a joust, green, gold & black;
as wanting yet devices drawn in lac;
or in an armoury hung, so duly spaced.
Leaves gay shields at a joust, green, gold & black;
as wanting yet devices drawn in lac;
or in an armoury hung, so duly spaced.
| Poems (1931) | |