THE FALCON


Why should my sleepy heart be taught
To whistle mocking-bird replies?
This is another bird you've caught,
Soft-feathered, with a falcon's eyes.

The bird Imagination,
That flies so far, that dies so soon;
Her wings are colored like the sun,
Her breast is colored like the moon.

Weave her a chain of silver twist,
And a little hood of scarlet wool,
And let her perch upon your wrist,
And tell her she is beautiful.




BRONZE TRUMPETS AND SEA WATER--
ON TURNING LATIN INTO ENGLISH


Alembics turn to stranger things
Strange things, but never while we live
Shall magic turn this bronze that sings