ATAVISM

"Atavism"

by John Myers O'Hara

Old longings nomadic leap,

Chafing at custom's chain;
Again from its brumal sleep
Wakens the ferine strain.

Helots of houses no more,
Let us be out, be free;
Fragance through window and door
Wafts from the woods, the sea.

After the torpor of will,
Morbid with inner strife,
Welcome the animal thrill,
Lending a zest to life.

Banish the volumes revered,
Sever from centuries dead;
Ceilings the lamp flicker cheered
Barter for stars instead.

Temple thy dreams with the trees,
Nature thy god alone;
Worship the sun and the breeze,
Altars where none atone.

Voices of solitude call,
Whisper of sedge and stream;
Loosen the fetters that gall,
Back to the primal scheme.

Feel the great throbbing terrene
Pulse in thy body beat,
Conscious again of the green
Verdure beneath the feet.

Callous to pain as the rose,
Breathe with instinct's delight
Live the existence that goes
Soulless in the night.