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Henry Van Dyke - Fire-Fly City
Work rating: Low

Like a long arrow through the dark the train is darting,
     Bearing me far away, after a perfect day of love`s delight:
Wakeful with all the sad-sweet memories of parting,
     I lift the narrow window-shade and look out on the night. 

Lonely the land unknown, and like a river flowing,
     Forest and field and hill are gliding backward still athwart my dream;
Till in that country strange, and ever stranger growing, 
     A magic city full of lights begins to glow and gleam. 

Wide through the landscape dim the lamps are lit in millions;
     Long avenues unfold clear-shining lines of gold across the green;
Clusters and rings of light, and luminous pavilions, —
     Oh, who will tell the city`s name, and what these wonders mean? 

Why do they beckon me, and what have they to show me?
     Crowds in the blazing street, mirth where the feasters meet, kisses and wine:
Many to laugh with me, but never one to know me:
     A cityful of stranger-hearts and none to beat with mine! 

Look how the glittering lines are wavering and lifting, —
     Softly the breeze of night, scatters the vision bright: and, passing fair,
Over the meadow-grass and through the forest drifting,
     The Fire-Fly City of the Dark is lost in empty air! 

Girl of the golden eyes, to you my heart is turning:
     Sleep in your quiet room, while through the midnight gloom my train is whirled.
Clear in your dreams of me the light of love is burning, —
     The only never failing light in all the phantom world.
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