The secret of these hills was stone, and cottages
Of that stone made,
And crumbling roads
That turned on sudden hidden villages
Now over these small hills, they have built the concrete
That trails black wire
Pylons, those pillars
Bare like nude giant girls that have no secret.
The valley with its gilt and evening look
And the green chestnut
Of customary root,
Are mocked dry like the parched bed of a brook.
But far above and far as sight endures
Like whips of anger
With lightning's danger
There runs the quick perspective of the future.
This dwarfs our emerald country by its trek
So tall with prophecy
Dreaming of cities
Where often clouds shall lean their swan-white neck.
I like Stephen Spender, and this is a wonderful poem.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful poet, Teresa. He has a great piece about an air-fighter dogfight which he saw take place over the English Channel during the Battle of Britain. Can't remember the title but I will look it out and post it next week. Best. T.
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