Augustin S. Macdonald, comp. A Collection of Verse by California Poets. 1914.
By Clarence UrmyCalifornia Skies
C
Balm for the eyes!
Where orange trees or redwoods rise;
By Shasta’s snow, Diego’s sand,
Or old Diablo’s dream set land;
By San Francisco Bay so blue,
Or down some cypress avenue
Near Monterey; by lake, Sierra rimmed,
Or yet afar in valleys vineyard trimmed;
On plain where Ceres waves her wand,
Or where Pomona fond
And all her train in foothill orchards drowse
Under low bending boughs—
Look up!
And from the turquoise cup
Drain dreams and rest!
Ah, none so blest
As one who, weary of life’s endless quest
In this fair meadow, poppy pillowed, lies,
Day dreaming ’neath these California skies—
Balm for the eyes!