W. J. Turner
Reading edition
W. J. Turner was born in 1889 and, although little known until his appearance in Georgian Poetry 1916-17, has written no few delicate and fanciful poems. The Hunter (1916) and The Dark Wind (1918) both contain many verses as moving and musical as his splendid lines on "Death," a poem which is unfortunately too long to quote.
ROMANCE
When I was but thirteen or so I went into a golden land, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi Took me by the hand. My father died, my brother too, They passed like fleeting dreams, I stood where Popocatapetl In the sunlight gleams. I dimly heard the master's voice And boys far-off at play,— Chimborazo, Cotopaxi Had stolen me away. I walked in a great golden dream To and fro from school— Shining Popocatapetl The dusty streets did rule. I walked home with a gold dark boy And never a word I'd say, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi Had taken my speech away. I gazed entranced upon his face Fairer than any flower— O shining Popocatapetl It was thy magic hour: The houses, people, traffic seemed Thin fading dreams by day; Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, They had stolen my soul away!