Poem by Elinor Wylie

Sanctuary

This is the bricklayer; hear the thud 
Of his heavy load dumped down on stone. 
His lustrous bricks are brighter than blood, 
His smoking mortar whiter than bone.

Set each sharp-edged, fire-bitten brick 
Straight by the plumb-line’s shivering length; 
Make my marvelous wall so thick 
Dead nor living may shake its strength.

Full as a crystal cup with drink 
Is my cell with dreams, and quiet, and cool. . . . 
Stop, old man! You must leave a chink; 
How can I breathe? You can’t, you fool!

1. Upon Your Heart, Which Is.the Heart of All
2. The Little Beauty That I Was Allowed
3. In Our Content, before the Autumn Came
4. What Other Name Had Half Expressed the Whole
5. Absent Thee from Felicity Awhile

Dora Sigerson Shorter Sanctuary ("Neighbour! for pity a hound cries on your steps")

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