Tuesday, November 23, 2021

AS THE DAY BREAKS...

(Photo from Pixabay, with thanks)

As The Day Breaks
by
Ernest McGaffey

I pray you, what's asleep?
The lily pads, and riffles, and the reeds;
No longer inward to the waters creep,
No longer outwardly their force recedes,
And widowed night, in blackness wide and deep,
Resumes her weeds

I pray you, what's awake?
A host of stars, the long, long milky way
That stretches out, a glistening silver flake,
All glorious beneath the moon's cold ray,
And myriad reflections on the lake
Where star-gleams lay.

I pray you, what's astir?
Why, naught but rustling leaves, dry, sere, and brown:
The East's broad gates are yet a dusky blur,
And star-gems twinkle in fair Luna's crown,
And minor chords of wailing winds that were
Die slowly down.

I pray you, what's o'clock?
Nay! Who shall answer that but gray-stoled dawn?
See, how from out the shadows looms yon rock,
Like some great figure on a canvas drawn;
And heard you not the crowing of the cock?
The night is gone.


Ernest McGaffey
(1861-1941)

American poet and lawyer.  Born in Ohio in 1861, McGaffey was a minor poet of the 19th and early 20th centuries.  After working as private secretary to Chicago Mayor Carter H. Harrison, McGaffey was admitted to the bar and subsequently practiced law in Chicago.  He produced several volumes of poetry, including Poems of Rod and Reel (1892), Poems of the Town (1901), Cosmos (1903), and a late collection called War in 1939.



34 comments:

  1. Lovely photo, nice poem too. Thanks Denise.

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  2. Hello Dennis,:=) I don't know if Ernest McGaffy was a good lawyer, but he certainly was an extremely good poet.This poem is beautiful.

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  3. Beautiful poem and night sky photo. Take care, enjoy your day and week ahead! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

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    1. Thank you Eileen, I wish you the same :) Happy Thanksgiving!

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  4. This is really beautiful -- and so is the poem. A very Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

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    1. Thank you Jeanie, and A Very Happy Thanksgiving to you all too.

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  5. An unfamiliar name to me but, my, how sensitive, imaginative and deep his words. A poet who is a lawyer seems a delightful oddity.

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    1. Thank you Penelope, this is one of the poems that jumped off the page when I read it :)

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    1. It's beautiful isn't it William? Pixababy has some amazing photos.

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  7. since I am an early bird and always have been, i have heard the crowing of the cock many times in my life. the photo and words are lovely

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    1. Now that would be fun. The only time I have heard a cock crowing was when I have been on holiday. I loved it! Happy you enjoyed Sandra and thank you :)

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  8. I'd never heard of this poet before. Love the poem.
    Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thank you GGG, and you are very welcome. I had never heard of him either :)

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  9. That's a poet I have not heard before. Thank you for sharing

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  10. Poet and lawyer. That's quite a combination :)

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  11. A poet unknown to many I suspect, but great work!

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    1. Thanks David, I hadn't heard of him before either.

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  12. I always enjoy poetry!! Thanks Denise.

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    1. You are very welcome Anni, I certainly enjoy yours :)

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  13. Thank you for sharing the poem and lovely image.

    All the best Jan

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    1. You are very welcome Jan, glad you enjoyed :) All the best to you too!

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  14. I'd never heard of this poet before.

    Happy Wednesday, Denise.

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    1. Thank you Veronica, and as I am getting back late, a Happy Friday to you now :)

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  15. I love the poem. It has deep meaning but is still very accessible to a guy like me.

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