espy
Before —— the bright green waters
‡‡In listless madness fly,
Leap shouting smoothly downward
‡‡Mount mistful, white to sky.
Above —— the bright sun shining
‡‡Kisses the dancing spray,
Till smiling it blushes all colors
‡‡And in gladness melts away.
O heart ! with your tireless torrent
‡‡Of doubt, and cataract fears,
Love’s sunshine still kisses to blushes,
‡‡And scatters your mist and tears.
Source: Dow, Charles Mason. Anthology and Bibliography of Niagara Falls. Albany: State of New York, 1921.
First published in Espy Williams. Dream of Art, and Other Poems. New York: Putnam, 1892.
Click here to see the 1961 PhD dissertation by Patricia Kennedy Rickels. The Literary Career of Epsy Williams: New Orleans Poet and Playwright (1852-1908).