Now Has Day Come

Now has day come immense upon the hills.

The hounds drop hungrily down the ridge,

And the fox has barked in worn defeat.

Foals shake damp manes in burning near-light,

And roosters crow. Light crowds the door

Swung outward, chilled hearths fire slowly

From slovenly coals. Night grovels on its knees—

Sun’s on the mountain. The suckling child

Mouths the swollen breasts, the foals nuzzle

The mare’s dark teats. Fog rises slowly,

Yawning the valleys, releasing hill and ridge.

Men have awakened. They have gone out upon the land

With night’s blunt wisdom dark within their eyes

And querulous day at hand.