George Marion McClellan

One of the classic greats is George Marion McClellan [1860-1934], and here's a page with information on him. His book The Path of Dreams is one of the best. He can do lyrical verse as well as Shelley and has incredible language.

His poem "To Hollyhocks" is a great one--it has a sense of Keats' style of natural beauty and worry about the future:

TO HOLLYHOCKS

Gay hollyhocks with flaming bells

And waving plumes,as gently swells

The breeze upon the Summer air;

You bind me still with magic spells

When to the wind, in grave farewells,

You bow in all your graces fair.

You bring me back the childhood view,

Where arching skies and deepest blue

Stretch on in endless lengths above;

To see you so awakes anew

Long past emotions, from which grew

My wild and first heart-throbs of love.

There is in all your brilliant dyes,

Your gorgeousness and azure skies,

A joy like soothing summer rain;

Yet in the scene there vaguely lies

A something half akin to sighs,

Along the borderland of pain.