Aere Caliginoso

Against the trees, amid the noon,

I saw him stand in darkened air.

I wondered, should I ask a boon?

And were they leaves that seemed his hair?

Across the country, small and far,

I watched the shining highway run.

Was he perdition, half ajar,

Or but a hunter with his gun?

He stamped his foot, and then there burned

A quicker moment in the glade:

The leafage all together turned

The edge of shadow, like a blade.

I dropped my gaze, and he was gone;

I saw the leaves close and be still.

There, where I felt attention drawn,

A hare leapt slowly down the hill.