Classic Poem

Out of the warmth and the light,
Into the frosty weather,
Into the teeth of a winter's night,
Running, we sprang together.

The icy, silent dark leapt up
And struck me in the face—
And the moon hung out her silver cup
As trophy for the race.

Our driving breath flung out behind
Like some dim, flying plume;
Our shadows, on the snow outlined,
Ran with us in the gloom.

The long white road, the rhythmic beat,
The wind-sword in our hair—
On, here's the spell of winged feet,
The charm of winter air!

A flashing glimpse, a scarce-seen face,
A figure clear, then gone,
Once more the dark, the swinging pace,
And on again, and on.

Across the river dim and still
The heedless sleepers lie,
And, finger-like, the towered hill
Stands up against the sky.

Into the warmth and the light,
Out of the frosty weather,
Out of the chill of a winter's night,
Glowing, we sprang together.