IF one had never seen the full completeness Of the round year, but tarried half the way, How should he guess the fair and flowery sweetness That cometh with the May -- Guess of the bloom, and of the rainy sweetness That come in with the May! Suppose he had but heard the winds a-blowing, And seen the brooks in icy chains fast bound, How should he guess that waters in their flowing Could make so glad a sound -- Guess how their silver tongues should be set going To such a tuneful sound! Suppose he had not seen the bluebirds winging, Nor seen the day set, nor the morning rise, Nor seen the golden balancing and swinging Of the gay butterflies -- Who could paint April pictures, worth the bringing To notice of his eyes? Suppose he had not seen the living daisies, Nor seen the rose, so glorious and bright, Were it not better than your far-off praises Of all their lovely light, To give his hands the holding of the daisies, And of the roses bright? O Christian man, deal gently with the sinner -- Think what an utter wintry waste is his Whose heart of love has never been the winner, To know how sweet it is -- Be pitiful, O Christian, to the sinner, Think what a world is his! He never heard the lisping and the trembling Of Eden's gracious leaves about his head -- His mirth is nothing but the poor dissembling Of a great soul unfed -- Oh, bring him where the Eden-leaves are trembling, And give him heavenly bread. As Winter doth her shriveled branches cover With greenness, knowing spring-time's soft desire, Even so the soul, knowing Jesus for a lover, Puts on a new attire -- A garment fair as snow, to meet the Lover Who bids her come up higher. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...OCTAVES: 7 by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON THE POOR by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS VERSES SUPPOSED TO BE WRITTEN BY ALEXANDER SELKIRK by WILLIAM COWPER HALSTED STREET CAR by CARL SANDBURG TWELVE ARTICLES by JONATHAN SWIFT ON THE DISPOSITION OF MIND (2) by JOHN BYROM |