Aurora Borealis

_Commemorative of the Dissolution of armies at the Peace_

May, 1865

What power disbands the Northern Lights

  After their steely play?

The lonely watcher feels an awe

  Of Nature's sway,

    As when appearing,

    He marked their flashed uprearing

  In the cold gloom--

  Retreatings and advancings,

(Like dallyings of doom),

  Transitions and enhancings,

      And bloody ray.

The phantom-host has faded quite,

  Splendor and Terror gone

Portent or promise--and gives way

  To pale, meek Dawn;

    The coming, going,

    Alike in wonder showing--

  Alike the God,

  Decreeing and commanding

The million blades that glowed,

  The muster and disbanding--

      Midnight and Morn.