Summer silence

G. Bachlund

Eruptive lightnings flutter to and fro

Above the heights of immemorial hills;

Thirst-stricken air, dumb-throated, in its woe

Limply down-sagging, its limp body spills

Upon the earth. A panting silence fills

The empty vault of Night with shimmering bars

Of sullen silver, where the lake distils

Its misered bounty. -- Hark! No whisper mars

The utter silence of the untranslated stars.