Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By Henry CuylerBunner

1223 Deaf

AS to a bird’s song she were listening,

Her beautiful head is ever sidewise bent;

Her questioning eyes lift up their depths intent—

She, who will never hear the wild-birds sing.

My words within her ears’ cold chambers ring

Faint, with the city’s murmurous sub-tones blent;

Though with such sounds as suppliants may have sent

To high-throned goddesses, my speech takes wing.

Not for the side-poised head’s appealing grace

I gaze, nor hair where fire in shadow lies—

For her this world’s unhallowed noises base

Melt into silence; not our groans, our cries,

Our curses, reach that high-removëed place

Where dwells her spirit, innocently wise.