Page:Poetry, a magazine of verse, Volume 7 (October 1915-March 1916).djvu/380

POETRY: A Magazine of Verse

Of girls and boys, and he was born and bred In a barn or kind of cattle shed. But be was a hardy youngster, and grew to be A boy with eyes that sparkled like a rod Of white-hut iron in the blacksmith shop. His face was ruddy like a rising moon, And his hair was black as sheeps wool that is black, And he had rugged arms and legs and a strong back, And he had a voice half flute and half bassoon, And from his toes up to his head's top He was a man, simple but intricate; And most men differ who try to delineate His life and fate.


 * He never seemed ashamed

Of poverty or of his origin. He was a wayward child Nevertheless, though wise and mild And thoughtful; but when angered then he flamed As fire does in a forge. When he was ten years old he ran away To be alone and watch the sea and the stars At midnight from a mountain gorge. When he returned his parents scolded him And threatened him with bolts and bars. Then they grew soft for his return, and gay,