 | Sonnets in Switzerland and Italy |  |
27
ON THE AXENSTRASSE
Vast silent cliffs of saffron, purple-grey,
Rose up to Heaven and caught the flying cloud,
While underneath, the engine, shrieking loud,
Dived into dark and thundered on its way;
The lake, below, an emerald mirror lay;
Calm trees reflected stood, a fearless crowd—
Where Uri's rocks by primal forces bowed
Told of the passion of an earlier day.
Rose up to Heaven and caught the flying cloud,
While underneath, the engine, shrieking loud,
Dived into dark and thundered on its way;
The lake, below, an emerald mirror lay;
Calm trees reflected stood, a fearless crowd—
Where Uri's rocks by primal forces bowed
Told of the passion of an earlier day.
Between the restless cloud and restful flood—
'Twixt life unpained, and life that still must wear
The impress of our earth's Titanic pain—
I, walking, felt the way for mortals good
Which told how hearts that passionate sorrow bear
With peace in sight their journey may sustain.
'Twixt life unpained, and life that still must wear
The impress of our earth's Titanic pain—
I, walking, felt the way for mortals good
Which told how hearts that passionate sorrow bear
With peace in sight their journey may sustain.
| Sonnets in Switzerland and Italy | |