Daybreak

The snails brush silver. Critic crow

points his unpleasant beak, and lances.

Resumes his treetop, darts below

his acid-bright, corrosive glances.

In the hushed corridors of sleep

Professor Eisenbart plots treason.

Caretaker mind prepares to sweep

the dusty offices of reason.

Eisenbart mutters, wakes in rage

Because crow’s jarring

c-a-a-r-k-s

distress him.

His mistress grins, refers to age

and other matters which oppress him.

He scowls purse-lipped. She yawns, and throws

Her arms in scarecrow crucifixion.

Clear of the hills, light’s wafer shows

In world-without-end benediction.

She makes him tea. He sips and calms

His Royal Academic temper,

While Life and Day outside shout psalms

In antiphon ...

Et nunc et semper.