from Memories of President Lincoln
1
When lilacs last in the dooryard bloom'd,
And the great star early droop'd in the western sky in the night,
I mourn'd, and yet shall mourn with ever-returning spring.
Ever-returning spring, trinity sure to me you bring,
Lilac blooming perennial and drooping star in the west,
......
It was jazzy June and green butterflies, filled the air with magic.
Then butterscotch days were long, until the purple sunset panic.
Sunny June, when music festivals, were staged in shady parks;
While in treetops purple martins, warbled their musical remarks.
Late springtime everywhere, and sandy beaches were crowded;
And it seemed such a long spell, since skies had been clouded!
In the dreamy season of youth, blossoms preened everywhere,
......
Today I opened wide my eyes,
And stared with wonder and surprise,
To see beneath November skies
An apple blossom peer;
Upon a branch as bleak as night
It gleamed exultant on my sight,
A fairy beacon burning bright
Of hope and cheer.
'Alas! ' said I, 'poor foolish thing,
......
An olive fire's a lovely thing;
Somehow it makes me think of Spring
As in my grate it over-spills
With dancing flames like daffodils.
They flirt and frolic, twist and twine,
The brassy fire-irons wink and shine. . . .
Leap gold, you flamelets! Laugh and sing:
An olive fire's a lovely thing.
An olive fire's a household shrine:
......
O TO make the most jubilant poem!
Even to set off these, and merge with these, the carols of Death.
O full of music! full of manhood, womanhood, infancy!
Full of common employments! full of grain and trees.
O for the voices of animals! O for the swiftness and balance of
fishes!
O for the dropping of rain-drops in a poem!
O for the sunshine, and motion of waves in a poem.
......
Winter’s Retreat
Iron winds fall still,
frost loosens the emerald earth —
sun spills golden fire.
Spring’s Arrival
Blossoms crown the boughs,
......
burgundy and cream
and orange blossoms she wore
crowned in hues and lore
fresh naturally
like deep green, minty morning
sweet scent trails forming
queen of nature crowned
in myriad blooms daily
......
Sweet snowdrop bells ring!
The violets are coming
Days are chanting spring.
Crimson camelias call
from dreams near the garden wall.
Gold sun fields await
rich tulips of tomorrow!
Lily's never late.
Then pansies' pink faces greet
......
alive like rainbows
buds bluebirds wild ecstasy ~
cherry sun gone down
I relapsed today. Not in a drug way!
No!
Stop— it’s more complicated than that.
It’s okay, I’m fine,
I mean; why wouldn’t I be?
......