Fiddler's Farewell/Sand-Pipings

by Leonora Speyer

Sand-pipings

GULLS

Strong wings in the stormy weather—Gray stitches that holdThe raveling fabrics of sea and skyForever together!

STORM'S END

As if engraved upon the dawn,The sleek gulls standAlong the rim of an exhausted seaThat rumbles up the sand.

Amazing birds, untired and trim of wing,Whose round unflinching eyesMeet like a challenge the leaden-lidded sunAbout to rise.

FOR A SPRING DAY

Here is no bud, no blade,No young green thing;This stark earth knows a meager spring.

Gulls are the only birds,And thin their cries,Bleak winter in their frosty eyes.

Somewhere, are fields and boughs,A hill, a brook;I would not lift my head to look

From this wind-shapen dune,This stern still place,This sea that stares me in the face,

This unimpeded sun!—And for my hand,The fine unfecund yellow sand!