Hamlin Garland

1860-1940 / the United States

On The Mississippi

Through wild and tangled forests
The broad, unhasting river flows-
Spotted with rain-drops, gray with night;
Upon its curving breast there goes
A lonely steamboat's larboard light,
A blood-red star against the shadowy oaks;
Noiseless as a ghost, through greenish gleam
Of fire-flies, before the boat's wild scream-
A heron flaps away
Like silence taking flight.
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