Poems By Arjava

LIKE some bright arrow from the bending bow

Of Valour's day, the light has sped beneath

The parapet of earth. Now shadows flow

Over the wake of turmoil. I would life

Be as their salve for wearied eyes, to latch

Those eyelids softly for his quiet sleep :

Valiant and twofold the part played in that match,—

Light feet of a boy, a man in thew and sweep.

There is such quiet rhythm for his night,

And deep slow breathing for a wide expanse

Of an athlete's chest, fair, true-moulded in might.

Stars of eternal youth in yonder sky

Unseal his ears to a hush-blight eloquence,

Spread through his limbs a dream felicity.