Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THROUGH THE WOOD, by ELIZA KEARY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THROUGH THE WOOD, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Outside, / a world in sunshine
Last Line: By the side of nellie.
Subject(s): Forests; Woods


OUTSIDE,
A world in sunshine;
Upon an afternoon
Once in June.
Such a wide,
Deep light-flooding, we were almost
Drowned in it where we stood,
Nellie and I; but inside the Wood
Clean stems grew close to each other; overhead
The intertwined light branches threw
Sweet shade on the rough ground.
I said, "Nellie,
Let us walk into the tall Wood."
She, putting her hand in mine,
Led me on softly, and so replied.
We made the only sound that there was,
With our footsteps crushing
The light tumble of leaves on scant grass;
Not the ghost of a bird's song under
Any cover of bush.
So along and along
We went, pushing

Our way where the tangled wood came,
Neither inclined for talking. As for me,
It was all I wanted, to walk by Nellie;
And she ---- . O! no blame
To the rapt wonder in her face.
This was Nellie --
The great silent glory
Of the beautiful day
Had found a place that he could stay
In -- Nellie --
And wrote her through with his story.
So she passed on silently,
Walking by me,
Heaven's temple by me.
Heaven is full of love,
I thought, over and over,
And said to my heart, "Hush!
You are happy, certainly."
Just then, from above,
Came three notes of a thrush,
Satisfied, low, out of a full breast;
Then Nellie broke silence, and said,
"You know we shall part presently, you and I.
At the end of the Wood. Friend,
I've a favour to ask of you; --
I may call you friend, and won't tell
A long tale; one word's best.
This little packet -- well,

Give it to Robert,
Into his own hand.
Thank you. He will understand.
I knew you wouldn't mind it for me.
You're not hurt?"
"I -- Oh, no!" I understood.
After that, silently,
We walked on to the end of the Wood.

Outside,
A world in sunshine;
She with her hand in mine:
Such a wide, dark flood;
I died in it, where I stood --
By the side of Nellie.







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