By the Stream

Paul Laurence Dunbar, 1872 – 1906

By the stream I dream in calm delight, and watch as in a glass,

How the clouds like crowds of snowy-hued and white-robed

maidens pass,

And the water into ripples breaks and sparkles as it spreads,

Like a host of armored knights with silver helmets on their heads.

And I deem the stream an emblem fit of human life may go,

For I find a mind may sparkle much and yet but shallows show,

And a soul may glow with myriad lights and wondrous mysteries,

When it only lies a dormant thing and mirrors what it sees.

Paul Dunbar was one of the first African-American poets to gain widespread recognition. Which, unfortunately, didn’t mean he was included in my schooling. (Of course as a young scientist I didn’t have time for reading poetry, other than the poetry of differential equations, calculus and physical chemistry.) It’s been a real pleasure to discover his poetry. This poem and more can be found poets.org.