As I Came Down Mount Tamalpais

  To north the fair Sonoma Hills Lay like a trembling thread of blue   Beneath a sky of daffodils; Through tules green a silver stream   Ran south to meet the tranquil bay, Whispering a dreamy, tender tale   Of vales and valleys far away. As I came down Mount Tamalpais,   To south the city brightly shone, Touched by the sunset’s good-night kiss   Across the golden ocean blown; I saw its hills, its tapering masts,   I almost heard its tramp and tread, And saw against the sky the cross   Which marks the City of the Dead. As I came down Mount Tamalpais   To east San Pablo’s water lay, Touched with a holy purple light,   The benediction of the day; No ripple on its twilight tide,   No parting of its evening veil, Save dimly in the far-off haze   One dreamy, yellow sunset sail. As I came down Mount Tamalpais,   To west Heaven’s gateway opened wide, And through it, freighted with day-cares,   The cloud-ships floated with the tide; Then, silently through stilly air,   Starlight flew down from Paradise, Folded her silver wings and slept   Upon the slopes of Tamalpais.