Camper

<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN> <h3 id="id00175" style="margin-top: 3em">THE CAMPER</h3> <p id="id00176" style="margin-top: 2em">Night 'neath the northern skies, lone, black, and grim:<br/> Naught but the starlight lies 'twixt heaven, and him.<br/></p> <p id="id00177">Of man no need has he, of God, no prayer;<br/> He and his Deity are brothers there.<br/></p> <p id="id00178">Above his bivouac the firs fling down<br/> Through branches gaunt and black, their needles brown.<br/></p> <p id="id00179">Afar some mountain streams, rockbound and fleet,<br/> Sing themselves through his dreams in cadence sweet,<br/></p> <p id="id00180">The pine trees whispering, the heron's cry,<br/> The plover's passing wing, his lullaby.<br/></p> <p id="id00181">And blinking overhead the white stars keep<br/> Watch o'er his hemlock bed—his sinless sleep.<br/></p> <h3 id="id00182" style="margin-top: 3em">AT HUSKING TIME</h3> <p id="id00183" style="margin-top: 2em">At husking time the tassel fades<br/> To brown above the yellow blades,<br/> Whose rustling sheath enswathes the corn<br/> That bursts its chrysalis in scorn<br/> Longer to lie in prison shades.<br/></p> <p id="id00184">Among the merry lads and maids<br/> The creaking ox-cart slowly wades<br/> Twixt stalks and stubble, sacked and torn<br/> At husking time.<br/></p> <p id="id00185">The prying pilot crow persuades<br/> The flock to join in thieving raids;<br/> The sly racoon with craft inborn<br/> His portion steals; from plenty's horn<br/> His pouch the saucy chipmunk lades<br/> At husking time.<br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />