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.