Classic Poem

Who called it so? What accident
The wary phase devised?
What wandering fancy thither went,
And lingered there surprised?

Ah, no man's land! O sweet estate
Illimitably fair!
No measure, wall, or bar or gate.
Secure as sky or air.

No greed, no gain; not sold or bought,
Unmarred by name or brand,
Not dreamed of or desired or sought,
Nor visioned, " no man's land. "

Suns set and rise, and rise and set,
Whole summers come and go;
And winters pay the summer's debt,
And years of west wind blow;

And harvests of wild seed-times fill,
And seed and fill again;
And blossoms bloom at blossoms' will,
By blossoms overlain;

And day and night, and night and day,
Uncounted suns and moons,
By silent shadows mark and stay
Unreckoned nights and noons:

Ah, " no man's land, " hast thou a lover,
Thy wild, sweet charm who sees?
The stars look down; the birds fly over;
Art thou alone with these?

Ah, " no man's land, " when died thy lover,
Who left no trace to tell?
Thy secret we shall not discover;
The centuries keep it well!