Vast multitudes wait breathless in amaze

For your oraculous purr to set their hearts ablaze!

44



John G. Neihardt



Perhaps you think " How stupid grows the world,"
And pine for godhood, till you come to be
A broken spirit, like a war flag furled^
Or drouth-drained river sighing for the seal
What potent utterance do you waste on me
When I am kind and stroke your glossy fur?
What do you gaze on that I can not see?
Perhaps if men could know the things that were,
Their petted faiths should quake and tremble at your
purrl



45



Man-Song



XVI
TO VOLNEY STREAMER



W



HEN in the tranquil aeons,
Where in the cosmic plan,
How did I meet you
And know you and greet you,
Ere you were bom a man?

Dim like a dream in the morning.
Blurred like a cross-writ page.
My memory clings to you^
Gropes for you, sings to you.
Friend of my yesterage!

Were we two souls in the aether
Flung from a central Soul?

In the vaults of the Blue

Did I first find you,
Where the great sun-rivers roll?

Did we together wander
Unto the gates of the earth.
Longing for breath
And the wisdom of death.
