 | The Poems of Selwyn Image |  |
91
NATURE
Dreams of the night! But fairer far are those
By day vouchsafed to senses all awake;
When at each gate of hearing, sight, and smell
Nature awaits, besiegement there to make;
Endlessly for us weaving some choice spell
Of the fresh dawn, full noon, or evening's close.
By day vouchsafed to senses all awake;
When at each gate of hearing, sight, and smell
Nature awaits, besiegement there to make;
Endlessly for us weaving some choice spell
Of the fresh dawn, full noon, or evening's close.
Unveil she may not, when our spirits sink
Into oblivion 'neath blind slumber's pall,
Her delicate mysteries. No mechanic art
Hers on dull substance thus to work her thrall:
Alert, responsive, each she bids act his part
'Ere of her full refreshment man may drink.
Into oblivion 'neath blind slumber's pall,
Her delicate mysteries. No mechanic art
Hers on dull substance thus to work her thrall:
Alert, responsive, each she bids act his part
'Ere of her full refreshment man may drink.
Who prays attains, who watches open-eyed
Alone shall hail her visions; who will seek,
Alone doth unearth her treasures that lie hid
From arrogant idle hearts; alone the meek,
They her rich realm inherit, and amid
Exhaustless wonders hour upon hour abide.
Alone shall hail her visions; who will seek,
Alone doth unearth her treasures that lie hid
From arrogant idle hearts; alone the meek,
They her rich realm inherit, and amid
Exhaustless wonders hour upon hour abide.
O Mother, from out whose womb all mortals come
To glide i' the end back to thy long embrace;
For us betwixt dawn and night thou dost prepare
Scenes of such marvel, grant but this crowning grace—
Eyes to behold, heart, whilst abiding there,
Sentient of all that inspires our bounteous home!
To glide i' the end back to thy long embrace;
For us betwixt dawn and night thou dost prepare
Scenes of such marvel, grant but this crowning grace—
Eyes to behold, heart, whilst abiding there,
Sentient of all that inspires our bounteous home!
May 11th, 1920.
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