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1849–1916

Sleep

James Whitcomb Riley

Thou drowsy god, whose blurred eyes, half awink Muse on me —, drifting out upon thy dreams, I lave my soul as in enchanted streams Where revelling satyrs pipe along the brink,

And tipsy with the melody they drink, Uplift their dangling hooves, and down the beams Of sunshine dance like motes. Thy languor seems An ocean-depth of love wherein I sink

Like some fond Argonaut, right willingly —, Because of wooing eyes upturned to mine, And siren-arms that coil their sorcery About my neck, with kisses so divine,

The heavens reel above me, and the sea Swallows and licks its wet lips over me.

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Sleep · James Whitcomb Riley · Poetry Cove