“He turned in at the gate and asked a drink;
Shabby, but neat of garment. His white hat
Drooped over friendly eyes; his face was clean,
Ascetic. Surly Towser wagged to greet
His coming, and my timid little boy
Smiled him a welcome. The tramp’s easy voice
Came slow and musical.
“”Have you a need
For some repairs on woodwork, furniture?
Yes? Food will pay me.””
His lean hands were deft
Over an injury the walnut desk
Met in its journey. Pulsings from within,
Some charm from an intensity of spirit,
Marked the man while he worked.
He laid a key
On the cloth by his plate, and bowed his head.
Ending the meal he gently spoke:
“”My house, –
A four room house, I built it by the stream.
The woodthrush sings, the quail are very tame,
And nested orioles and bluebirds flit
Where the wild grape is matted in the trees.
Wild flowers nod, and the untrodden grass
Waves in the soft wind, hearkening the while
To the sweet water running. Little boy,
You can come to my house and bring your smile.
I thank you now. The food was very good.
Yes, I have friends. No matter for their names.
This is my key. I go to find my house.
I made the prettiest furniture for it.
Good-bye to you, and thank you once again.””
His sad eyes smiled farewell; he took the road,
A lean and stooping tramper by the streams.
The key seemed like a symbol from such quest
As mothers old romance. His limp, subdued,
Hinted that he had come a weary way.
(Edwin Ford Piper)”
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Based on Topics: Man Poems, Nature Poems, Faces Poems, Friendship Poems, Smiling Poems, Running Poems, Sign & Symbol Poems, Romantic Love Poems, Food Poems, Charm PoemsBased on Keywords: intensity, bluebirds, wagged, ascetic, hearkening, orioles, woodwork, towser, pulsings, tramper, woodthrush