Against The Cold Pale Sky

Against the cold pale sky     The elm tree company rose high.     All the fine hues of day     That flowered so bold had died away.     Only chill blue, faint green,     And deepening dark blue were seen.     There swinging on a bough     That hung or floated broad and low.     The lamp of evening, bright     With more than planetary light,     Was beautiful and free--     A white bird swaying on the tree.     You watched and I watched,     Our eyes and hearts so surely matched.     We saw the white bird leap, leap     Shining in his journey steep     Through that vast cold sky.     Our hearts knew his unuttered cry--     A cry of free delight     Spreading over the clustering night.     Pole Hill grave and stark     Stared at the valley's tidal dark,     The Darent glimmered wan;     But that eager planet winging on,     And singing on, went high     Into the deeps and heights of sky.     And our thoughts rising too     Brightened the mortal darkness through     Trembled and danced and sang     Till the mute invisible heavens rang.