Florence D. Snelling. March in Tryon. Harriet Monroe, ed. Poetry: A Magazine of Verse. 1912-22

Harriet Monroe, ed. (1860–1936). Poetry: A Magazine of Verse. 1912–22.

March in Tryon

By Florence D. Snelling


I IN the sweet March morning
On the upland road
Sunshine and Blue Moth
And I were abroad.

Like a voice the Silence	5
Where old leaves lay dead:
“Make straight a highway
For the Spring!” it said.

II O East, there still are stars (a sign for sleep!)
Like daffodils in a dark garden springing,	10
While the white moon slips down that other deep
Of West, with low clouds clinging.
We wake for day, my armored-pine and I,
But only Watchman Wind goes lightly by,
His “All’s well!” singing.	15

III I have listened, O wind—
I must go.
The valleys below
Into blossom are breaking,
But snow	20
I shall find
On the way I am taking,
I know.

Level lands become steep,
Rough with stone.	25
There goes none
On this journey uncharted,
Save one
Who will keep
To the heights joyous-hearted,	30
Alone.

I have felt thee, O wind,
Out of space
Touch my face.
There shall be no returning.	35
New ways
Feet must find,
And the slow lips be learning
New praise.