On the great sea-marsh where the eddies stray,
The mower strikes ere yet the dew is fled.
The salt-hay falls before his heavy tread,
Filling with odorous breath the whole green way.
On the tide’s back, now with the broadened day,
Like a mild beast of burden slowly led,
The floating grass is meshed and gathered;
A great tide-harvest of salt-smelling hay.
Where herons stalk, and the shy mallard hides
In stillest haunts, is the man-worker seen—
Even the sea must garner for his good.
Soon high and dark above the marsh and tides,
Stand the great hay-towers; as they loom and lean,
Like turrets grim to mark the solitude.
(John Frederic Herbin)
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Based on Topics: Solitude PoemsBased on Keywords: broadened, meshed, stillest, mallard, sea-marsh, salt-smelling