Page:All quiet along the Potomac and other poems.djvu/94

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88
HUMAN EYES.

 
She called to a shadow, who cloaked her about
With a storm-suit of gray; but still shining out
Gleamed the hue of her robe, the scarf in her hair,
In spite of all shadowy counsel and care.

Then the Lord set his seal ('twas a radiant bow),
And bid the fair summer rain valley-ward go,
Down, down to the heart of the whispering corn,
Down, down to the stream by the blossoming thorn.




HUMAN EYES.


IGROW afraid of human eyes,
Flashing and shining everywhere,
Holding such fearful mystery
Of silent souls in prison there—

Afraid of that sweet, solemn thing
That upward looks from children's eyes,
Wistfully gazing far away,
As tho' homesick for Paradise—

Afraid of eyes, tho' fair they beam,
Starry and dark, or bright and blue;
Crafty and cold, or soft and warm—
All with a soul still looking through;

Peering from out each curtained gate,
Watching beneath the eyelid's fall ;
Asking, answering, quest and glance,
Without a word or breath at all ;