Poems (Kimball)/Inscribed to J. W. and C. H.

by Harriet McEwen Kimball

SONNETS.

INSCRIBED

TO J. W. AND C. H.

I.
SHUT in by clustering roofs and clustering trees,
Though not far off our blue bright river pours
Its full swift volume 'twixt the gracious shores,
How do I long on golden days like these
For the wide vision of the crested seas
Where the fleet swallow circles, dips, and soars;
Where flash the gull's white wings, the fisher' oars,
And sails that shift and darken in the breeze!
Where the white surf along the glistening beach,
And on the black rocks streaming from the spray,
Tosses incessant far as eye can reach,
And ceaseless murmurs most melodious pour,
Swelling anon, anon to die away,
While the sweet pines make answer evermore.

II.
There stands your cottage, peeping from the wood
And facing all the splendors of the sea,
On that dear spot where I to-day would be;
Above, below, azure of sky and flood;
Boundless seclusion, boundless solitude;
And in the midst what social feast for me
To choice of speech or silence bidden free,
While winds and waves rock every varying mood!
Through doors and windows wide, through all the house,
What breeze-blown odors sweep of spice and bairn,
Hemlock and pine, cedar and wilding rose,
And miles away the scent of meadow mows!
Exhaustless sweetness; inexpressible calm;
The lapsing water murmuring, Repose!