Once, I knew a fine song
Once, I knew a fine song, It is true, believe me It was all of birds, And I held them in a basket; When I opened the wicket, Heavens! They all flew away. I
Upon the road of my life
Upon the road of my life, Passed me many fair creatures, Clothed all in white, and radiant. To one, finally, I made speech: “Who art thou?” But she, like the others, Kept cowled her
There was a great cathedral
There was a great cathedral. To solemn songs, A white procession Moved toward the altar. The chief man there Was erect, and bore himself proudly. Yet some could see him cringe, As in a
Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind
Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind. Because the lover threw wild hands toward the sky And the affrighted steed ran on alone, Do not weep. War is kind. Hoarse, booming drums of
Fast rode the knight
Fast rode the knight With spurs, hot and reeking, Ever waving an eager sword, “To save my lady!” Fast rode the knIght, And leaped from saddle to war. Men of steel flickered and gleamed
Once a man clambering to the housetops
Once a man clambering to the housetops Appealed to the heavens. With strong voice he called to the deaf spheres; A warrior’s shout he raised to the suns. Lo, at last, there was a
Walking in the sky
Walking in the sky, A man in strange black garb Encountered a radiant form. Then his steps were eager; Bowed he devoutly. “My Lord,” said he. But the spirit knew him not.
With eye and with gesture
With eye and with gesture You say you are holy. I say you lie; For I did see you Draw away your coats From the sin upon the hands Of a little child. Liar!
There was one I met upon the road
There was one I met upon the road Who looked at me with kind eyes. Her said, “Show me of your wares.” And this I did, Holding forth one. He said, “It is a
Many red devils ran from my heart
Many red devils ran from my heart And out upon the page, They were so tiny The pen could mash them. And many struggled in the ink. It was strange To write in this
A youth in apparel that glittered
A youth in apparel that glittered Went to walk in a grim forest. There he met an assassin Attired all in garb of old days; He, scowling through the thickets, And dagger poised quivering,
The wayfarer
The wayfarer, Perceiving the pathway to truth, Was struck with astonishment. It was thickly grown with weeds. “Ha,” he said, “I see that none has passed here In a long time.” Later he saw
There was crimson clash of war
There was crimson clash of war. Lands turned black and bare; Women wept; Babes ran, wondering. There came one who understood not these things. He said, “Why is this?” Whereupon a million strove to
A god in wrath
A god in wrath Was beating a man; He cuffed him loudly With thunderous blows That rang and rolled over the earth. All people came running. The man screamed and struggled, And bit madly
There was a man with tongue of wood
There was a man with tongue of wood Who essayed to sing, And in truth it was lamentable. But there was one who heard The clip-clapper of this tongue of wood And knew what