MAY-DAY
1.
(As poets see it.)
FAR reaches of blue sky that seem
A sea without a curbing shore
Or billow's dip; a white cloud-ship
That sails and sails forevermore
To the port of a golden dream.
A world that holds nor pain nor care;
Blossoms and sunshine everywhere.
Children in happy cavalcade,
Laughter and song, not a breath too long,
And a queen in her beauty arrayed.
A sea without a curbing shore
Or billow's dip; a white cloud-ship
That sails and sails forevermore
To the port of a golden dream.
A world that holds nor pain nor care;
Blossoms and sunshine everywhere.
Children in happy cavalcade,
Laughter and song, not a breath too long,
And a queen in her beauty arrayed.
II.
(As it really is.)
Gray clouds that form a soggy mass
That drips and ne'er is dry;
No voice that sings, but a wind that stings,
A tired and shivering company
Wishing the hours would pass.
All hope of "clearing up" long spent,
A brave pretense at merriment
To hide the crowding woes;
Salt by mistake, ants in the cake,
And a queen who blows her nose.
That drips and ne'er is dry;
No voice that sings, but a wind that stings,
A tired and shivering company
Wishing the hours would pass.
All hope of "clearing up" long spent,
A brave pretense at merriment
To hide the crowding woes;
Salt by mistake, ants in the cake,
And a queen who blows her nose.