Earthbound

All day he lay there, hearing the mute

Noise of machinery beneath that place,

Roots changing their gears, stones turning

Over and over. The birds all night

Sang of the wondrous beauty in his face.

So it is told us. But history gives

No ultimate verdict upon his fate,

Some say he was mad, and one living

Close to that lonely spot says all the leaves

Suddenly held their breath, as at the great

Moment of tragedy. For thus the world

Makes and maintains her secrets, calling us

Down like Persephone into the dark

Wombs of creation or like the child

Into its marvelous solitude; and thus

Out of the warm earth our legends grow.

People passing that way in spring are sad

Seeing his eyes in flowers, in the trees

His lovable brave limbs. I think they know

More than they understand, and are afraid.