Part 12

I WENT TO SEA

I WENT to sea in a glass-bottomed boat And found that the loveliest shells of all Are hidden below in valleys of sand. I saw coral and sponge and weed And bubbles like jewels dangling. I saw a creature with eyes of mist Go by slowly. Star-fish fingers held the water . . . Let it go again . . . I saw little fish, the children of the sea; They were gay and busy. I wanted the sea-weed purple; I wanted the shells; I wanted a little fish to hold in my hands; I wanted the big fish to stop wandering about, And tell me all they knew . . . I have come back safe and dry And know no more secrets Than yesterday!

THREE THOUGHTS OF MY HEART

As I was straying by the forest brook I heard my heart speak to me: Listen; said my heart, I have three thoughts for you . . . a thought of clouds, A thought of birds, A thought of flowers.

I sat upon a cushion of moss, Listening, Where the light played, and the green shadows: What would you do . . . I asked my heart . . . If you were a floating ship of the sky . . . If you were a peering bird . . . If you were a wild geranium?

And my heart made answer: That is what I wonder and wonder! After all it is life I love, After all I am a living thing, After all I am the heart of you . . . I am content!

SNOW-CAPPED MOUNTAIN

Snow-capped mountain, so white, so tall, The whole sea Must stand behind you!

Snow-capped mountain, with the wind on your forehead, Do you hold the eagles' nests?

Proud thing, You shine like a lily, Yet with a different whiteness; I should not dare to venture Up your slippery towers, For I am thinking you lean too far Over the Edge of the World!

THE BROOK AND ITS CHILDREN

"O brook, running down your mossy way, I hear only your voice And the murmuring fir-trees; Where are your children? Where are the magic stones, your children?"

The brook answered me sweetly, "I left them on the Alp, In steep fields. They were trying to hold me back, To keep me from this shady path of happiness; But I went onward day by day Until they got used to seeing me pass. Now, they stand there in an enchantment On the mountain-side, While I travel fields of elm and poplar."

BIRD OF PARADISE

I was walking in a meadow of Paradise When I heard a singing Far away and sweet Like a Roman harp, Sweet and murmurous Like the wind, Far and soft Like the fir trees.

It will not change a song If the bird has a golden crest; No feathers of blue and rose-red Could make a song. I have known in my dreaming A gray bird that sang While all the fields listened! The Bird of Paradise is like flowers of many trees Blooming on one: I saw him in the meadow, But it was the gray bird I heard singing Beyond and far.

SHINY BROOK

Oh, shiny brook, I watch you on your way to the sea, And see little faces peering up Out of the water . . . Water-fairies Strange smiles and questions. They are your pebbles sweet, Golden with foam of the sun, Blue with foam of the sky. I know their way of speaking, Of talking to each other: I hear them telling secrets About green moss, about fish that get lost. And how I am sitting on a big stone Getting my feet wet in Shiny Brook To watch their surprising ways!

HILLS

The hills are going somewhere; They have been on the way a long time. They are like camels in a line But they move more slowly. Sometimes at sunset they carry silks, But most of the time silver birch trees, Heavy rocks, heavy trees, gold leaves On heavy branches till they are aching . . . Birches like silver bars they can hardly lift With grass so thick about their feet to hinder . . . They have not gone far In the time I've watched them . . .

ADVENTURE

I went slowly through the wood of shadows, Thinking always I should meet some one: There was no one.

I found a hollow Sweet to rest in all night long: I did not stay.

I came out beyond the trees To the moaning sea. Over the sea swam a cloud the outline of a ship: What if that ship held my adventure Under its sails?

Come quickly to me, come quickly, I am waiting. I am here on the sand; Sail close! I want to go over the waves . . . The sand holds me back. Oh adventure, if you belong to me, Don't blow away down the sky!

FAIRIES

I cannot see fairies. I dream them. There is no fairy can hide from me; I keep on dreaming till I find him: There you are, Primrose! I see you, Black Wing!

HUMMING-BIRD