Under heavy eyelids lie
Glowing breadths of tropic sky;
A cloud-like incense in the west;
An isle upon the Ocean’s breast;
Long, crested waves, that haste to reach
And perish on a snow-white beach.
A shining shallop, trim and frail,
Borne down upon a spicy gale;
Two lovers in the ocean vast—
Two lovers loving well at last
Within the shadow of the sail.
Under heavy eyelids creep
Fitful shadows fraught with sleep;
Subtle odors in the air
Pause and tremble everywhere;
Melancholy night-birds sing;
Fire-flies are on the wing;
Fragrant dells of turf and fern
Where the cactus blossoms burn;
Two lovers fleeing from the past—
Two lovers loving well at last
Shall never to the world return.
(Charles Warren Stoddard)
More Poetry from Charles Warren Stoddard:
Charles Warren Stoddard Poems based on Topics: Sleep, World- Bells Of San Gabriel (Charles Warren Stoddard Poems)
- Invocation (Charles Warren Stoddard Poems)
- Maiden Love (Charles Warren Stoddard Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: World Poems, Sleep PoemsBased on Keywords: fire-flies, shallop, past-, cloud-like, cactus, breadths, night-birds