Nature

The Waterfall

by Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803–1882

Nature

A patch of meadow upland
Reached by a mile of road,
Soothed by the voice of waters,
With birds and flowers bestowed.
Hither I come for strength
Which well it can supply,
For Love draws might from terrene force
And potencies of sky.
The tremulous battery Earth
Responds to the touch of man;
It thrills to the antipodes,
From Boston to Japan.
The planets' child the planet knows
And to his joy replies;
To the lark's trill unfolds the rose,
Clouds flush their gayest dyes.
When Ali prayed and loved
Where Syrian waters roll,
Upward the ninth heaven thrilled and moved;
At the tread of the jubilant soul.

MLA

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “The Waterfall.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/emerson/177/.

Chicago

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “The Waterfall.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/emerson/177/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Ralph Waldo Emerson