| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 1008. The Skilful Listener |
| | | By John Vance Cheney |
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| THE SKILFUL listener, he, methinks, may hear | |
| The grass blades clash in sunny field together, | |
| The roses kissing, and the lily, whether | |
| It joy or sorrow in the summer’s ear, | |
| The jewel dew-bells of the mead ring clear | 5 |
| When morning lightly moves them in June weather, | |
| The flocked hours flitting by on stealthy feather, | |
| The last leaves’ wail at waning of the year. | |
| Haply, from these we catch a passing sound, | |
| (The best of verities, perchance, but seem) | 10 |
| We overhear close Nature, on her round, | |
| When least she thinks it; bird and bough and stream | |
| Not only, but her silences profound, | |
| Surprised by softer footfall of our dream. | |
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