Poems (Cromwell)/The Poet

by Gladys Cromwell

THE POET

O tell me, tell me,
How did you drain
Your song to drops
Clear as rain?

What labor, what sorrow,
What sacrifice,
Crystal'd your song
To beryl ice?

What burning gladness
Warmed it again
To a vapor sweet,
Clear as rain?

O tell me, tell me,
Melody's price—
Is it work, is it pain,
Is it sacrifice?