Page:All quiet along the Potomac and other poems.djvu/199

 BRIDGES. 193

From the chance-levelled bough

In the shadowy wood, To the wonderful span

O er the down-rushing flood ; But for ever a pathos

And beauty enshrine Every bar with its shadow

Across the wave s shine. All tell the same tale,

From the wind-fallen larch Where the squirrels go free,

To the ponderous arch ; For there s always in life

Rapid streams to divide, And the cowslips will grow

On the opposite side; So a bridge is a type

Of our longings confessed, Out of Life s discontent

Reaching still for our rest.

We build them of silver,

With railings of gold, But the wind of adversity

Loosens their hold. We build them of Love,

And the cable untwists That was bound round a promise,

And tied with a kiss. We build them of Honor ;

Lo ! Slander s foul breath 17 N

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