Harriet Monroe - The Giant Cactus Of Arizona
The cactus in the desert stands <br />Like time's inviolate sentinel, <br />Watching the sun-washed waste of sands <br />Lest they their ancient secrets tell. <br />And the lost lore of mournful lands <br />It knows alone and guards too well. <br /> <br />Wiser than Sphynx or pyramid, <br />It points a stark hand at the sky, <br />And all the stars alight or hid <br />It counts as they go rolling by; <br />And mysteries the gods forbid <br />Darken its heavy memory. <br /> <br />I asked how old the world was—yea, <br />And why yon ruddy mountain grew <br />Out of hell's fire. By night nor day <br />It answered not, though all it knew, <br />But lifted, as it stopped my way, <br />Its wrinkled fingers toward the blue. <br /> <br />Inscrutable and stern and still <br />It waits the everlasting doom. <br />Races and years may do their will— <br />Lo, it will rise above their tomb, <br />Till the drugged earth has drunk her fill <br />Of light, and falls asleep in gloom.<br /><br />Harriet Monroe<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem..../the-giant-cactus-of
