On the Mississippi

　　by Hamlin Garland

　　 Through wild and tangled forests

　　 The broad， unhasting river flows

　　 Spotted with rain-drops， gray with night；

　　 Upon its curving breast there goes

　　 A lonely steamboat's larboard light，

　　 A blood-red star against the shadowy oaks；

　　 Noiseless as a ghost， through greenish gleam

　　 Of fire-flies， before the boat's wild scream

　　 A heron flaps away

　　 Like silence taking flight.

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