Ex Libris

By Arthur Upson

1877-1908


In an old book at even as I read
         Fast fading words adown my shadowy page,
         I crossed a tale of how, in other age,
At Arqua, with his books around him, sped
The word to Petrarch; and with noble head
         Bowed gently o'er his volume that sweet sage
         To Silence paid his willing seigniorage.
And they who found him whispered, "He is dead!"

Thus timely from old comradeships would I
         To Silence also rise. Let there be night,
Stillness, and only these staid watchers by,
         And no light shine save my low study light --
Lest of his kind intent some human cry
         Interpret not the Messenger aright.

DayPoems Poem No. 1236
<a href="http://www.daypoems.net/poems/1236.html">Ex Libris by Arthur Upson</a>

The DayPoems Poetry Collection, www.daypoems.net
Timothy Bovee, editor

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