Poems of Madison Cawein Vol. 3 — Beneath the Beeches

I

I long, oh, long to lie ’Neath beechen branches, twisted, Green ’twixt the summer sky;

The woodland shadows nigh Like dryads sunbeam-wristed: The livelong day to dream Beside a wildwood stream.

II

I long, oh, long to hear The claustral forest breathing, Sound soothing to the ear;

To see the wild-vine near Its scarlet blooms unsheathing: The livelong day to cross Slow o’er the nut-strewn moss.

III

I long, oh, long to see The nesting red-bird singing Glad on the wood-rose tree: To watch the breezy bee, Half in the wildflower, swinging: God’s livelong day to pass Deep in cool forest grass.

IV

Oh, soul, so builded in With mart and booth and steeple, Brick alley-ways of sin, What hope for you to win Ways free of pelf and people!

Ways of the leaf and root And soft Mygdonian flute!

THE BRIDLE-PATH