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Home  »  An American Anthology, 1787–1900  »  1232 Blossom Time

Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By WilburLarremore

1232 Blossom Time

SPRING came with tiny lances thrusting,

And earth was clad in peeping green;

In russet bark, the twigs incrusting,

Tenderest blossom-points were seen;

A robin courier proclaimed good cheer:

Summer will soon arrive, for I am here.

And now from cherry boughs in flower

The languid breeze arousing shakes,

With every honeyed breath, a shower

Of feather snow in drifting flakes;

And apple trees in bloom, like ricks of white,

Are veiled with smoky, amethystine light.

Ah, little soul, on thy first spring

Unclosing merry, puzzled eyes,

Would that a father’s thought could bring

Prophetic counsel more than wise

To guide thee as a father’s love would yearn,—

Thou hast so much to suffer and to learn!

I cannot live thy life for thee,

My precepts would be dull and trite,

Barren as last year’s leaves to me

Beneath the apple blossoms white;

But in thy new horizon’s vaster range

Our hearts close knit shall feel no chilling change.