Weeds by the wall : verses / by Madison Cawein [electronic text]

THE BROKEN DROUTH.

IT seemed the listening forest held its breath Before some vague and unapparent form Of fear, approaching with the wings of death, On the impending storm.

Above the hills, big, bellying clouds loomed, black And ominous, yet silent as the blue That pools calm heights of heaven, deepening back 'Twixt clouds of snowdrift hue.

Then instantly, as when a multitude Shout riot and war through some tumultuous town, Innumerable voices swept the wood As wild the wind rushed down.

And fierce and few, as when a strong man weeps, Great rain-drops dashed the dust; and, overhead, Ponderous and vast down the prodigious deeps, Went slow the thunder's tread.

And swift and furious, as when giants fence, The lightning foils of tempest went insane; Then far and near sonorous Earth grew dense With long sweet sweep of rain.