City Visions

City Visions by Emma Lazarus

 I

As the blind Milton's memory of light, 
The deaf Beethoven's phantasy of tone, 
Wroght joys for them surpassing all things known 
In our restricted sphere of sound and sight,-- 
So while the glaring streets of brick and stone 
Vix with heat, noise, and dust from morn till night, 
I will give rein to Fancy, taking flight 
From dismal now and here, and dwell alone 
With new-enfranchised senses. All day long, 
Think ye 't is I, who sit 'twixt darkened walls, 
While ye chase beauty over land and sea? 
Uplift on wings of some rare poet's song 
Where the wide billow laughs and leaps and falls, 
I soar cloud-high, free as the winds are free. 


II

Who grasps the substance? who 'mid shadows strays? 
He who within some dark-bright wood reclines, 
'Twixt sleep and waking, where the needled pines 
Have cushioned al his couch with soft brown sprays? 
He notes not how the living water shines, 
Trembling along the cliff, a flickering haze, 
Brimming a wine-bright pool, nor lifts his gaze 
To read the ancient wonders and the signs. 
Does he possess the actual, or do I, 
Who paint on air more than his sense receives, 
The glittering pine-tufts with closed eyes behold, 
Breathe the strong resinous perfume, see the sky 
Quiver like azure flame between the leaves, 
And open unseen gates with key of gold?

Form: Sonnet

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