Poems of Madison Cawein Vol. 4 — Field and Forest Call

FIELD AND FOREST CALL

There is a field, that leans upon two hills, Foamed o'er of flowers and twinkling with clear rills;

That in its girdle of wild acres bears;

The anodyne of rest that cures all cares;

Wherein soft wind and sun and sound are blent And fragrance--as in some old instrument Sweet chords--calm things, that nature's magic spell Distils from heaven's azure crucible, And pours on Earth to make the sick mind well.

There lies the path, they say-- Come, away!

come, away!

There is a forest, lying 'twixt two streams, Sung through of birds and haunted of dim dreams;

That in its league-long hand of trunk and leaf Lifts a green wand that charms away all grief;

Wrought of quaint silence and the stealth of things, Vague, whispering touches, gleams and twitterings, Dews and cool shadows--that the mystic soul Of nature permeates with suave control, And waves o'er Earth to make the sad heart whole.

There lies the road, they say-- Come, away!

come, away!