Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE RIVER, by MARGARET ELIZABETH MUNSON SANGSTER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE RIVER, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Far up on the mountain the river begins
Last Line: And bless thee in shadow and sun.
Alternate Author Name(s): Van Deth, Gerrit, Mrs.
Subject(s): Childhood Memories; Old Age; Rivers; Sailing & Sailors


FAR up on the mountain the river begins,—
I saw it, a thread in the sun.
Then it grew to a brook, and, through dell and through nook,
It dimpled and danced in its fun.

A ribbon of silver, it sparkled along
Over meadows besprinkled with gold;
With a twist and a twirl, and a loop and a curl,
Through the pastures the rivulet rolled.

Then on to the valleys it leaped and it laughed,
Till it stronger and stiller became;
On its banks the tall trees rocked their boughs in the breeze,
And the lilies were tapers aflame.

The children threw pebbles, and shouted with glee
At the circles they made in the stream;
And the white fisher-boat, sent so lightly afloat,
Drifted off like a sail in a dream.

Deep-hearted, the mirth of its baby-life past,
It toiled for the grinding of corn;
Its shores heard the beat of the lumberman's feet,
His raft on its current was borne.

At inlet and cove, where its harbors were fair,
Vast cities arose in their pride,
And the wealth of their streets came from beautiful fleets,
Forth launched on its affluent tide.

The glorious river swept on to the sea,
The sea that engirdles the land;
But I saw it begin in a thread I could spin,
Like a cobweb of silk, in my hand.

And I thought of the river that flows from the throne,
Of the love that is deathless and free,—
Of the grace of his peace that shall ever increase,
Christ-given to you and to me.

Far up on the mountain, and near to the sky,
The cup full of water is seen,
That is brimmed till its tide carries benisons wide
Where the dales and the meadows are green.

Is thy soul like a cup? Let its little be given,
Not stinted nor churlish, to One
Who will fill thee with love, and his faithfulness prove,
And bless thee in shadow and sun.





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