SPRING DEATH.
IN MEMORY OF J. W.,
who died on Active Service, 1901
I will bear forth my sorrow to the sun,
For dumb and cold I sit at home with grief.
Eddies of spring-tide through the dark limbs run
Of this foul city, over park and square
Ripple in golden leaf.
Each solitary tree, once dank and bare,
Poised in a fluttering skirt of gauzy green,
Whirls to the rhythm of awakening earth;
Through murky lane and highway throbs a clean
Bass note of birth.
For dumb and cold I sit at home with grief.
Eddies of spring-tide through the dark limbs run
Of this foul city, over park and square
Ripple in golden leaf.
Each solitary tree, once dank and bare,
Poised in a fluttering skirt of gauzy green,
Whirls to the rhythm of awakening earth;
Through murky lane and highway throbs a clean
Bass note of birth.
The chestnut spreads her fingers to the breeze,
Adorned with perfumed candles for the feast.
Once more the little murmurs haunt the trees,
And all that buds has cast the pall of sleep.
From grimy bonds released,
Over the churchyard paling, lilacs peep,
Each golden leaflet quick with gentle rain,
And all the world that once was tired and old,
Decked out with new desires, grows young again,
Lilac and gold.
Adorned with perfumed candles for the feast.
Once more the little murmurs haunt the trees,
And all that buds has cast the pall of sleep.
From grimy bonds released,
Over the churchyard paling, lilacs peep,
Each golden leaflet quick with gentle rain,
And all the world that once was tired and old,
Decked out with new desires, grows young again,
Lilac and gold.
85
