Swallows
‘gathering swallows’… (John Keats: To Autumn)
Could I now fly with them across wide seas –
To lands where Winter’s dearths bring no alarms
In climates lush with tropic luxuries;
Or near Egyptian Sphinx inspire sweet balms
Borne on warm zephyrs from rich isles of spice –
I’ld consecrate my days to poetry,
My nights to languorous delights.
I know
The bounties of fine verses beyond price,
So I would linger long at Rapture’s knee
Trusting experience to ripen my
Poetic arts to full maturity.
Then on the world I might at length bestow
The fruits of my endeavours as a gift that springs
From gathered inspirations borne on swallows’ wings.
