Dear Wanderer— <br />The sky is gray, <br />With flecks of blue <br />The clouds rush over. <br />A bird is singing <br />Far away, <br />And butterflies <br />Taste of the clover. <br />Under the trees <br />My hammock swings, <br />And a brave breeze— <br />The restless rover— <br />Flutters the leaves <br />And stirs the grasses <br />And, whispering riddles, <br />Lightly passes. <br />Day after day <br />My friend and I <br />Climb up the hills <br />And search the valleys; <br />Dip in the brook <br />That ripples by <br />And through clear pools <br />Serenely dallies. <br />All green and gold, <br />All song and sweetness, <br />The old earth is <br />For summer's pleasure; <br />Who kisses and goes, <br />Whose love is fleetness, <br />Who gives but a season <br />But gives without measure. <br />Away with time!— <br />His wand I capture, <br />He rules no more <br />For this brief minute. <br />The years are gone— <br />Once more the rapture, <br />The night of stars <br />With the secret in it. <br />Ah, if you were here <br />Should I grant, I wonder, <br />The whole round truth <br />For a birthday token— <br />How today, tomorrow, <br />Together, asunder, <br />We are—no, hush!— <br />It is best unspoken. <br />Oh, the truest truth— <br />No words dare say it! <br />It hides in the heart <br />From the poor tongue's treason; <br />And the deepest joy— <br />We may never pray it. <br />It comes and goes <br />With nor rule nor reason. <br />Look up!—the sun <br />Through the clouds' gray portal! <br />And see—white plumes <br />In the blue below it! <br />Behold the dream, <br />Wide-winged, immortal! <br />Did I hear your voice? <br />You are here—I know it!<br /><br />Harriet Monroe<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-letter-to-one-far-away/
