Elsa Barker Poems

(To Peary and his men, before the last expedition)

Why sing the legends of the Holy Grail,
The dead crusaders of the Sepulchre,
...

When I am dead and sister to the dust;
   When no more avidly I drink the wine
   Of human love; when the pale Proserpine
Has covered me with poppies, and cold rust
...

I’ WOMAN, am that wonder-breathing rose
That blossoms in the garden of the King.
In all the world there is no lovelier thing,
...

O THOU mysterious One, lying asleep
Within the lonely chamber of my soul!
Thou art my life’s true goal,
...

HE who knows Love—becomes Love, and his eyes
Behold Love in the heart of everyone,
Even the loveless: as the light of the sun
...

BEHIND the orient darkness of thine eyes,
The eyes of God interrogate my soul
With whelming love. The luminous waves that roll
...