Part 10

Years go, dreams go, and youth goes too, The world's heart breaks beneath its wars, All things are changed, save in the east The faithful beauty of the stars.

A Boy

Out of the noise of tired people working, Harried with thoughts of war and lists of dead, His beauty met me like a fresh wind blowing, Clean boyish beauty and high-held head.

Eyes that told secrets, lips that would not tell them, Fearless and shy the young unwearied eyes-- Men die by millions now, because God blunders, Yet to have made this boy he must be wise.

Winter Dusk

I watch the great clear twilight Veiling the ice-bowed trees; Their branches tinkle faintly With crystal melodies.

The larches bend their silver Over the hush of snow; One star is lighted in the west, Two in the zenith glow.

For a moment I have forgotten Wars and women who mourn-- I think of the mother who bore me And thank her that I was born.

By the Sea IX

The Unchanging

Sun-swept beaches with a light wind blowing From the immense blue circle of the sea, And the soft thunder where long waves whiten-- These were the same for Sappho as for me.

Two thousand years--much has gone by forever, Change takes the gods and ships and speech of men-- But here on the beaches that time passes over The heart aches now as then.

June Night

Oh Earth, you are too dear to-night, How can I sleep while all around Floats rainy fragrance and the far Deep voice of the ocean that talks to the ground?

Oh Earth, you gave me all I have, I love you, I love you,--oh what have I That I can give you in return-- Except my body after I die?

"Like Barley Bending"

Like barley bending In low fields by the sea, Singing in hard wind Ceaselessly;

Like barley bending And rising again, So would I, unbroken, Rise from pain;

So would I softly, Day long, night long, Change my sorrow Into song.

"Oh Day of Fire and Sun"

Oh day of fire and sun, Pure as a naked flame, Blue sea, blue sky and dun Sands where he spoke my name;

Laughter and hearts so high That the spirit flew off free, Lifting into the sky Diving into the sea;

Oh day of fire and sun Like a crystal burning, Slow days go one by one, But you have no returning.

"I Thought of You"

I thought of you and how you love this beauty, And walking up the long beach all alone I heard the waves breaking in measured thunder As you and I once heard their monotone.

Around me were the echoing dunes, beyond me The cold and sparkling silver of the sea-- We two will pass through death and ages lengthen Before you hear that sound again with me.

On the Dunes

If there is any life when death is over, These tawny beaches will know much of me, I shall come back, as constant and as changeful As the unchanging, many-colored sea.