Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE LEPRECHAUN, by JOHN FREEMAN


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE LEPRECHAUN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: She was so beautiful and light
Last Line: His whisper hoarse?
Subject(s): Death; Girls; Youth; Dead, The


SHE was so beautiful and light
They feared to trust her out of sight,
Lest some suburban Leprechaun might clasp
Her youth in wild grasp,
Pouring unlicensed passion
On her affright.

Only with a sister, then,
She walked, safe from the snares of men;
Angels above might keep no better guard
Than a plain sister's ward.
Eyes too fond, too tender,
Now smiled again.

Who is it haunts in the light,
Unseen, unheard, secure as night?
Nor Leprechaun nor demon-lover dare
So saturate the air;
But one in the street haunting,
Silent, out of sight,

Brushed her as she passed and caught
Breast to breast, and left her naught
But his love's helpless, unappealing prey.
No ward might delay,
When Death's unlicensed passion
Satisfaction sought.

Who shall hide the beloved from Death,
That mortal shape nor motion hath?
Death walks the air like wind, and wilts the fairest,
Plucks delicately the rarest
And smells, and drops; and it lies
Crushed in his path.

O, why in all a world of sweet,
Bird-song and dew and light and heat,
Comes this malignity of Death to still
Blood and spirit with sudden chill,
Breathing in youth's ears, like poison,
His whisper hoarse?





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