Classic Poem

See how the smoke attacks the sunset sky!
A smudge of factory fumes against the west,
It oozes through the red clouds' glowing breast,
Until their beauty, poisoned, droops to die.
Higher the murk ascends, and still more high,
And gnaws the pink and gold with evil zest,
Until the peak of heaven seems oppressed,
And only grayness spreads before the eye.

And still the smoke is rising! In the night,
Starless and dense, I know it soars and soars,
With snaky folds and vapors blackly curled
To quench all gleam of magic in the world;
To drown all wonder, coloring and light,
Till round the very hearts of men it pours!