Emma Lazarus: Storm

Emma Lazarus

(1849 – 1887)

 

Storm

 

Serene was morning with clear, winnowed air,

But threatening soon the low, blue mass of cloud

Rose in the west, with mutterings faint and rare

At first, but waxing frequent and more loud.

Thick sultry mists the distant hill-tops shroud;

The sunshine dies; athwart black skies of lead

Flash noiselessly thin threads of lightning red.

Breathless the earth seems waiting some wild blow,

Dreaded, but far too close to ward or shun.

Scared birds aloft fly aimless, and below

Naught stirs in fields whence light and life are gone,

Save floating leaves, with wisps of straw and down,

Upon the heavy air; ‘neath blue-black skies,

Livid and yellow the green landscape lies.

 

And all the while the dreadful thunder breaks,

Within the hollow circle of the hills,

With gathering might, that angry echoes wakes,

And earth and heaven with unused clamor fills.

O’erhead still flame those strange electric thrills.

A moment more,–behold! yon bolt struck home,

And over ruined fields the storm hath come!

 

Emma Lazarus poetry

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