Poem by Richard Watson Gilder

The New Day. Part 1. 3. “A Barren Stretch That Slants to the Salt Sea's Gray”

A barren stretch that slants to the salt sea's gray,—
     ⁠Rock-strewn, and scarred by fire, and rough with stubble,—
With here and there a bold, bright touch of color—
Berries and yellow leaves, that make the dolor
     ⁠More dolorous still. Above, a sky of trouble.

But now a light is lifted in the air;
     ⁠And tho' the sky is shadowed, fold on fold,
⁠By clouds that have the lightnings in their hold,
That western gleam makes all the dim earth fair—
⁠     And the gray sea gold.

1. The New Day. Part 4. 2. The Mirror
2. The Celestial Passion. Part 2. 3. A Madonna of Fra Lippo Lippi
3. The New Day. Part 3. 5. “I Will Be Brave for Thee”
4. The New Day. Part 4. 16. “Love Is Not Bond to Any Man”
5. The New Day. Part 2. 1. Words without Song

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