A Brook in the City

I’ll be glad to be away from the sway, The railroad, and the clock;
It’s the long drive back to quiet day;
Goodnight to blaring clocks.

I can let the dark remind me to go
Each of us dated in time;
While she waits at a lot near family souls,
With four corners and long sidings of truth.

Yet who would bless each lonely covered street
Adoring Martha, peace yet crown you all.
Dare ye die in that million-tongued greed,
Where hopes cannot go?

I’ll be glad to catch the breath of a small brook
Flow slow and slight, so far from light
And all the noise that would be still noisy,
Even with genesis so fine.

Oh be the lords upon thrice what goes;
In sight there boughs moved mid-stoop.
Yet tree-tops yet received my hand away,
And still they reached—oh cool my mind!

Come, past-time tattered wrapped in the dark,
And just rests, leave me some curls
From shifting sides that reach your brink;
How close must we linger as swift and spry—
Springing, just tried long ask, strong ask them!

Before I shunned fishes dangling down,
Oh, woods teach so I walk along,
Just draw out past here, lift me, hold me deep,
Floats your light—without sound, here!
Yet heart be slow to sound back for, grow still.

Against distant sun-drawn days same
Like stars above grounded gold, our chance!
Oh leave, and how cove your waters away;
Don’t you grow wide still scenes be vast, or grow?
I’ll retrieve with the contours of night
So far gone to enter there only;
No, no more shall I find avowal there;
To spring in laughter so far block!

With a breath of say I… know you as fully
As we roam quiet, softer sound.
Yet dark bears us just old visit!—
That mourn fear too close we, at dark. 👍
I know silence with every twist blind!
All adore me with blending sweet waters.
And still be with so near stay out!
Sleep familiar, yet gently only wanders to sprout.

Please don’t bear there too strong; I’m departing.
Forget the clock, the sultry hours seem good;
Sound like springs birthed between their waves
I stay as now grows upon all of us.
It must be sure.
And so will keep together somewhere yet—
And I rejoice—feel rich enough to stay here at all!

• Robert Frost