Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: AFFIRMATION AS long as vigorous discontent Goads us from torpid ease, or worse, I thank the power that sent Struggle, the savior of the universe. As long as things are torn and hurled In this implacable unrest, I shall embrace the world With joyful fierceness and undying zest. I shall grow strong with every hurt; The scorn, the anger will achieve Only a glad, alert Desire to question boldly — and believe. My eager faith shall keep me set Against despair or careless hate, Knowing this smoke and sweat Is forging something violent — and great! DOWN-HILL ON A BICYCLE THE rolling earth stops As I climb to the summit. Then like a plummet It suddenly drops. . . Down, down I go— Past rippling acres; Hillsides like breakers Over me flow. Wildly alive I hail the green shimmer, Fresh as a swimmer After the dive. Like banners unfurled The skies dip and flourish— The keen breezes nourish, While the bright world DOWN-HILL ON A BICYCLE Is a ribbon unrolled With a border of grasses; And tansies are masses And splotches of gold. Still I whirl on— Startled, a sparrow Darts from the yarrow, Flash — and is gone. .. Faster the gleams Die as they dazzle— And roadsides of basil Turn to pink streams. Sharp as a knife Is each perfume and color. To feel nothing duller— God, that were Life! MIDNIGHT-BY THE OPEN WINDOW HOW rapt the sleeping stillness of the night— Incomparably close and vast. . .One might Hear the tense silence in the little street Reaching to heaven, where it swells and breaks Into moon-music and star-song that makes My senses bend and sway, as waving wheat Trembles before the wind's majestic feet; Trembles with happy fear and numb delight. How sharp the silence. . .like ... --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.