Frederick Philip Grove
LANDSCAPES
(IM 16-28)

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e-Edition by Gaby Divay
© August 2007

University of Manitoba Libraries	FPG & FrL Collections	University of Manitoba Archives

EMBATTLED SKIES [3] by Frederick Philip Grove Embattled skies frown down upon the field That stretches level like a sleeping sea. Humped, in its centre, broods a single tree: Low hang the clouds like fringes from a shield. Thus has it been for hours. I stand and wait; And nothing happens. Idle hangs my cloak. Yet do I know somewhere a master-stroke Prepares itself, slow like a patient hate. Still nothing seems to stir; but as I stare And drowse and look, there is of shifting scenes A subtle sense: a soaring bird careens, Tossed by some unfelt currents of the air. And suddenly a dark-grey[4] cloud turns pale: Thus does a sleeping eye raise a white lid: Far down at the horizon, half still hid, The scorpion lightning flicks its vicious tail. 1924 In Memoriam 17