Forest Tragedy

Afloat upon the tide one summer night, Dreamily watching how the moonbeams bright Made little broken rings of fairy light, And vaguely lost in that half-conscious mood That steals upon the sense in solitude, I drifted near a shadowy island wood Where all was silent, scarce a leaf was stirred- So still the air — when suddenly I heard The piercing, anguished cry as of a bird In such distress it made the echoes ring And set the startled silence quivering — The wild appeal of some sweet feathered thing In its extremity. And then a sound, Half-muffled, faint, and all again was drowned In silence inarticulate, profound. I went my way; but that despairing cry, Unheeded and unanswered from on high, Rang through me like the voice of Destiny. And in my restless heart the old, deep strain — The bitter doubt and wild rebellious pain I thought were laid — came surging up again.