REVEILLE by Lola RidgeCOME forth, you workers! Let the fires go cold — Let the iron spill out, out of the troughs — Let the iron run wild Like a red bramble on the floors — Leave the mill and the foundry and the mine And the shrapnel lying on the wharves — Leave the… Read More REVEILLE by Lola Ridge

LAST night I watched a star fall like a great pearl into the sea, Till my ego expanding encompassed sea and star, Containing both as in a trembling cup.

TENDER and tremulous green of leaves Turned up by the wind, Twanging among the vines — Wind in the grass Blowing a clear path For the new-stripped soul to pass . . . The naked soul in the sunlight . . . Like a wisp of smoke in the sunlight On the hill-side shimmering. Dance… Read More DISPOSSESSED  by Lola Ridge

(Easter 1916) CENSORED lies that mimic truth . . . Censored truth as pale as fear . . . My heart is like a rousing bell — And but the dead to hear . . . My heart is like a mother bird, Circling ever higher, And the nest-tree rimmed about By a forest fire… Read More THE  TIDINGS by Lola Ridge

CAN you see me, Sasha? I can see you. . . . A tentacle of the vast dawn is resting on your face that floats as though detached in a sultry and greenish vapor. I cannot reach my hands to you . . . would not if I could, though I know how warmly yours… Read More TO  ALEXANDER  BERKMAN by Lola Ridge

How should they appraise you, who walk up close to you as to a mountain, each proclaiming his own eyeful against the other’s eyeful. Only time standing well off shall measure your circumference and height.

WARPED . . . gland-dry . . . With spine askew And body shrunken into half its space . Well-used as some cracked paving-stone Bearing on his grimed and pitted front A stamp … as of innumerable feet.

Is it you I see go by the window, Jim Larkin — you not looking at me nor any one, And your shadow swaying from East to West? Strange that you should be walking free — you shut down without light, And your legs tied up with a knot of iron. One hundred million men… Read More TO  LARKIN by Lola Ridge

WIND RISING IN THE ALLEYS by Lola RidgeMy spirit lifts in you like a banner streaming free of hot walls. You are full of unspent dreams. . . . You are laden with beginnings. . . . There is hope in you . . . not sweet . . acrid as blood in the mouth.… Read More WIND RISING IN THE ALLEYS by Lola Ridge

CHERRY, cherry, glowing on the hearth, bright red cherry. . . . When you try to pick up cherry Celia’s shriek sticks in you like a pin. When God throws hailstones you cuddle in Celia’s shawl and press your feet on her belly high up like a stool. When Celia makes umbrella of her hand.… Read More Ceila by Lola Ridge