Back Aa

Voice on the Wind, and Other Poems

Close

<h2>THE POET</h2> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> He stands above all worldly schism, And, gazing over life's abysm, Beholds within the starry range Of heaven laws of death and change, That, through his soul's prophetic prism, Are turned to rainbows wild and strange. </div> <div class="stanza"> Through nature is his hope made surer Of that ideal, his allurer, By whom his life is upward drawn To mount pale pinnacles of dawn, 'Mid which all that is fairer, purer Of love and lore it comes upon. </div> <div class="stanza"> An alkahest, that makes gold metal Of dross, his mind is—where one petal Of one wild-rose will all outweigh The piled-up facts of everyday— Where commonplaces, there that settle, Are changed to things of heavenly ray. </div> <div class="stanza"> He climbs by steps of stars and flowers, Companioned of the dreaming hours, And sets his feet in pastures where No merely mortal feet may fare; And higher than the stars he towers Though lowlier than the flowers there. </div> <div class="stanza"> [Pg 23] His comrades are his own high fancies And thoughts in which his soul romances; And every part of heaven or earth He visits, lo, assumes new worth; And touched with loftier traits and trances Re-shines as with a lovelier birth. </div> <div class="stanza"> He is the play, likewise the player; The word that's said, also the sayer; And in the books of heart and head There is no thing he has not read; Of time and tears he is the weigher, And mouthpiece 'twixt the quick and dead. </div> <div class="stanza"> He dies: but, mounting ever higher, Wings Ph&oelig;nix-like from out his pyre Above our mortal day and night, Clothed on with sempiternal light; And raimented in thought's far fire Flames on in everlasting flight. </div> <div class="stanza"> Unseen, yet seen, on heights of visions, Above all praise and world derisions, His spirit and his deathless brood Of dreams fare on, a multitude, While on the pillar of great missions His name and place are granite-hewed. </div> </div> <hr style="width: 65%;" /> [Pg 24] <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

1 of 2

2 of 2