Carlyle McIntyre

From “On the Road”

AS I went down to Baldwin’s Pond,

The mud-hens dove from sight,

And then like corks bobbed bravely up

And paddled with delight.

Oh, green-blade rushes fringed the pool,

Eye-lashes delicate;

The waters were as calm as though

A seer should gaze on fate.

And reed-birds, piping holy notes,

Inspired me with such faith

That I walked on the shining pond

As though I were a wraith.

Yes, hand in hand with whitest flowers,

My heart beat mad and high—

I went a-walking (it was spring)

With lilies on the sky.