He

He passed among us

Gaunt and terrible.

If you had seen his eyes-

His eyes burning with loneliness-

And the simplicity of his face,

You would have known

The whole history of America at a flash.

Compare him to a mountain or an elm or a sea,

If you wish-

Each has a part of him.

But to find him,

Go to a quiet place when you are sad.

You will see the softness and loneliness

Of his burning eyes

In the distance;

His simplicity in nature's simplicity;

And his awkward, gaunt, terrible figure,

Striding where there is wind and dusk,

With the tall stovepipe hat reaching the clouds!