Ina Coolbrith

1841 – 1928 / Nauvoo, Illinois

Songs Of Content

I: Palaces

A Wall of sod, a roof of thatch,
And naked turf the floor;
And winds, unchallenged and unbarred,
Go in and out the door;

But in the moonlight's silver net,
The great star-sentries by,
No monarch of an Eastern throne
Is fairer housed then I.

II: Orchestra

The silence of my solitude
No rippling keyboard thrills;
No thunder-peal of organ vast
My soul of worship fills;

But ah, the woodland orchestra!
And from the lark on high
The rapture of the perfect note
Is dropped from God's own sky.

III: The Alchemist

I Tread no web of Persian looms,
No silver decks my board;
I have not silks, nor diamonds,
Nor golden mint a hoard.

But O! what treasures are mine
Of tender touch and tone-
For Love beside the hearthstone sits,
And makes the world my own!
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