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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
IN THE GARDEN OF DREAMS, by JOHN GOULD FLETCHER Poet's Biography First Line: I wandered in the garden of my dreams Last Line: To watch, till the swallows fly. | |||
I wandered in the garden of my dreams: Magnolias shook out waxen petals that burst Against the glittering upthrust of strong green leaves. There were glassy glaucous pools of green-blue water, And columned poplars broken in the sky; And in the midst a sarcophagus, A rosy and golden sarcophagus, A tomb of marble and bronze for us To watch the swallows fly. Heroes and warriors in armour Guarded our solemn rest. There we lay together safely, Stone breast against stone breast; Griffins with clutching paws Lifted their beaks on high; And in the midst a sarcophagus, An impenetrable sarcophagus, A tomb aloof, alone, for us To watch the swallows fly. I see sometimes sunlight flecking The warm curves of your breast; But you never turn to me with a smile, And say, "Dear one, how do you rest?" The magnolias drop cupped waxen petals Against the breeze, with a sigh: And in the midst is a sarcophagus, A golden, cold sarcophagus, A lofty forgotten tomb for us To watch the swallows fly. At night the stars like great white swans Swim lazily overhead; The guardians, weary of endless dawns, Droop each a heavy head; The bat flits amid the cypresses, But we sleep deep on high; And we are safe in our sarcophagus, Our deep pale-grey sarcophagus, Our tomb in the twilight made for us, To watch, till the swallows fly. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ARIZONA POEMS: 4. THE WINDMILLS by JOHN GOULD FLETCHER ARIZONA POEMS: 6. RAIN IN THE DESERT by JOHN GOULD FLETCHER DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI: 1. EMBARKATION by JOHN GOULD FLETCHER DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI: 2. HEAT by JOHN GOULD FLETCHER DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI: 3. FULL MOON by JOHN GOULD FLETCHER DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI: 4. THE MOON'S ORCHESTRA by JOHN GOULD FLETCHER DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI: 5. THE STEVEDORES by JOHN GOULD FLETCHER DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI: 6. NIGHT LANDING by JOHN GOULD FLETCHER DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI: 7. THE SILENCE by JOHN GOULD FLETCHER GREEN SYMPHONY by JOHN GOULD FLETCHER |
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