Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TIME'S PICTURE BOOK, by EDNA VALENTINE TRAPNELL


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TIME'S PICTURE BOOK, by                    
First Line: Out on the edge of the worlds
Last Line: In his picture-book of the earth.
Subject(s): Picture Books; Time


Out on the edge of the worlds,
Silent in sorrow or mirth,
Child-Time sits and leisurely turns
His picture-book of the Earth.

Oh, Troy was a tall town, so I have heard men say
And there was clash of sword on shield both night-time and day,
And there was love and laughter as well as tears and woe,
Fighting and love and laughter a many years ago --
(The desert sifts its sands above where Troy towers lie low.)

In from western wonderlands, purple sails afire,
Galleys with their benches full came to busy Tyre;
Dye-stuffs and sandalwood, silks and cedar trees,
Ankle rings a-tinkling on the crowded quays --
(Green waters lapping soft there, now in place of these.)

On the long white highway leading up to Rome,
Past the Victory Altars marched the legions home;
Chariots and horsemen, captains, slaves and lords,
Treasures from the Orient and the Northern hordes --
(The drifting bloom of many springs has stilled the clanging swords.)

Up and down the Harbour now the giant liners ply,
Above the heaven-pointing towers the great planes go by,
In streets below we moderns seek the goals that they sought then,
Cities and customs all may change, but not the hearts of men --
(Soon Child-Time, wearied, turns a page of his picture-book again!)

Out on the edge of the worlds,
Silent in sorrow or mirth,
Child-Time ponders the pages o'er
In his picture-book of the Earth.





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