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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SWALLOWS, by EDWARD DOWDEN Poet's Biography
First Line: Wide fields of air left luminous
Last Line: The larger ordinance obey.
Subject(s): Swallows
First Line: Wide fields of air left luminous
Last Line: The larger ordinance obey.
Subject(s): Swallows
WIDE fields of air left luminous,
Though now the uplands comprehend
How the sun's loss is ultimate:
The silence grows; but still to us
From yon air-winnowing breasts elate
The tiny shrieks of glee descend.
Deft wings, each moment is resigned
Some touch of day, some pulse of light,
While yet in poised, delicious curve,
Ecstatic doublings down the wind,
Light dash and dip and sidelong swerve,
You try each dainty trick of flight.
Will not your airy glee relent
At all? The aimless frolic cease?
Know ye no touch of quelling pain,
Nor joy's more strict admonishment,
No tender awe at daylight's wane,
Ye slaves of delicate caprice?
Hush, once again that cry intense!
High-venturing spirits, have your will!
Urge the last freak, prolong your glee,
Keen voyagers, while still the immense
Sea-spaces haunt your memory,
With zests and pangs ineffable.
Not in the sunshine of old woods
Ye won your warrant to be gay
By duteous, sweet observances,
Who dared through darkening solitudes,
And 'mid the hiss of alien seas,
The larger ordinance obey.
Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!
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SWALLOW FLIGHT by SARA TEASDALE
EACH SUMMER'S SWALLOWS by JOHN UPDIKE
THE DEPARTURE OF THE SWALLOW by WILLIAM HOWITT
THE BLUE SWALLOWS by HOWARD NEMEROV
THE CLIFF SWALLOWS by DEBRA NYSTROM