Small fields of rain-wet grass and close-grown clover,
Wet, wind-blown trees–and, over all, the rain.
Does memory lie? For Hope her missal closes
So far away the may and roses seem;
Ah! was there ever a garden red with roses?
Ah! were you ever mine save in a dream?
So long it is since Spring, the skylark waking
Heard her own praises in his perfect strain;
Low hang the clouds, the sad year’s heart is breaking,
And mine, my heart–and, over all, the rain.
With tall field-sorrel, and daisies, and golden buttercups glowing;Sweet is the way through the woods, where at sundown maiden and loverLinger by stile or by bank where wild clematis is growing.Fair is our world when the dew and the dawn thrill the half-wakened roses,Fair when the corn-fields grow warm with poppies in noonlight gleaming,Fair through…
Hung round with quaint legends, and old-as-life storiesOf mystical beauty and lifelong delight;With dreams of the Christ-child, with Santa Claus fables,Without doubts to trouble or questions to breakThe absolute faith in the triumph of goodness,In God and in nature on guard for its sake;Without fear of death, with no memories of grief,Believing life clear as…
No crown for the princely hour to wear,To be mocked of the rebel years.Not a spoken vow, not a written pageAnd never a rose or a rhymeTo tell to the wintry ear of ageThe tale of the summer time.Never a tear or a farewell kissWhen the time is come to part;For the kiss would burn…
A song I never understood,Though sweet the music rang.I held a lily white and fair,Its perfume was a song divine,A song like moonlight and clear air,No rose-hued cloud like mine.Beneath pale moon and wind-winged skiesMy lips were dumb as one drew near,Folded warm wings across my eyesAnd whispered in my ear.He left a flame-flower in…
This moment is a star, my child –Your star and mine.Life is a desert dry and drear,Undewed, unblest;This hour is an oasis, dear;Here let us rest.Life is a sea of windy spray,Cold, fierce and free:An isle enchanted is to-dayFor you and me.Forget night, sea, and desert: takeThe gift supreme,And, of life’s brief relenting, makeA deathless…
And charms that sway men’s hot ungoverned hearts,Receive their tribute–smile at their defeat;I do not ask that you should spare them, sweet.Only I ask that in the secret shrineNo prayers be heard, no offering laid, but mine.Each man who sees your eyes must needs lay downLow at your feet the votive myrtle crown:Let them bring…
