Sunrise

Today I saw the sun come up, like Neptune from the sea. I saw him light a cliff with gold and wake a distant tree, I saw him shake his shaggy head and laugh the night away And toss unto a sleeping world another golden day. The waves, which had been black and cold, came in with silver crests. I saw the sunbeams gently wake the songbirds in their nests, The slow-retreating night slipped back, and strewn on field and lawn, On every blade of grass I saw the jewels of the dawn. Never was monarch ushered in with such a cavalcade; No hero bringing victory home has seen such wealth displayed. In honor of the coming day, the humblest plant and tree Stood on the curbstone of the world in radiant livery. Pageants of splendor man may plan with robes of burnished gold, On horses from Arabia may prance the knights of old; Heralds on silver horns may blow, and kings come riding in, But I have seen God’s pageantry—I’ve watched a day begin!