Another day, another new-to-me poet (and a professional violinist!). I hope you enjoy these two beauties as much as I did.
Swallows
They dip their wings in the sunset,
They dash against the air
As if to break themselves upon its stillness:
In every movement, too swift to count,
Is a revelry of indecision,
A furtive delight in trees they do not desire
And in grasses that shall not know their weight.
They hover and lean toward the meadow
With little edged cries;
And then,
As if frightened at the earth’s nearness,
They seek the high austerity of evening sky
And swirl into its depth.
–Leonora Speyer
And here’s another delight:
A Gift
I Woke: —
Night, lingering, poured upon the world
Of drowsy hill and wood and lake
Her moon-song,
And the breeze accompanied with hushed fingers
On the birches.
Gently the dawn held out to me
A golden handful of bird’s-notes.
—Leonora Speyer
I missed the Roundup last week so I’m reposting to this week’s Poetry Friday Roundup, hosted by the wonderful Michelle Barnes at Today’s Little Ditty.
Nix the comfort zone 
The second poem, A Gift, spoke to me as I love to wake early and take a walk in the bird song. The rhythm is unique and makes me want to try to mimic it. Thanks for sharing this new to me poet.
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Early morning time outside is the best! I love how her love of music is reflected in this poem–the moon-song, the accompaniment of the breeze playing on the branches and that final golden handful of notes.
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I always love waking to “bird’s-notes,” even when they’ve woken me a bit to early. Both of these poems are written from a very sensitive, nature- inspired point of view, thank you for them Molly, they are beautiful and airy!
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I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Michelle.
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Beautiful! The second one (that ending!) made me give a happy sigh.
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Me, too, Tabatha!
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Oh my! She had me at dip and dash! I must go find more of her work to read. Thanks for the introduction, Molly!
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New to me, too, Molly. Both are glorious thoughts, but any poem with a moon in it is a favorite for me. I love ” golden handful of bird’s-notes,” too.
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Those are lovely words, and a beautiful painting of the poet by Sargent. Are you planning a biography of her?
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No biography planned, but I imagine she was a fascinating lady! Divorcee in the early 1900s, professional musician and poet–there must be some stories to share there!
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Yes, indeed.
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These are such peaceful poems. Thank you for introducing us to a (new to me, anyway) poet.
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Oh, I just want to lace these two poems together….they compliment each other perfectly! Thanks for sharing.
A golden handful of bird’s
lean toward the meadow
lingering,
break themselves upon its stillness
On the birches
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