WHEN the spring's elysian Vision Nacres with the earlier dawn, 'T is the custom olden Holden Of the folks in fair Nippon, Woodlands o'er to wander, Ponder On the web from May-day's loom, In delight inditing, Writing Of the cherry trees a-bloom. Every tree, a flowery Houri Rosy-white in azure air, Breathes its odor fragrant, Vagrant To the zephyrs idling there; All its boughs dew-wetted, Fretted, Dimple o'er each petalled plume, Softly swaying, playing, Spraying In a radiant morn of bloom. Nature's self, another Mother, Takes her children to her arms As they trace her face's Graces In the cherry's glowing charms; Sets them a completer Metre; Send her very soul to illume; Till they clearly, cheerly, Dearly Hymn the shimmering trees a-bloom. Ah, that dainty haunting Chaunting Echoes joy-bells all the year, Though no bard rehearses Verses, Though no cherry tree's a-near; Holding e'er that pleasant Present, Never seeking doubtful doom, They no morrow's sorrow Borrow For some bud not yet a-bloom. So, though world a-weary, Dreary Autumn rain and winter snow Leave the land a-lying Dying, Ne'er a leaf nor cherry blow, Still their hearts go lightened, Brightened By the blossom, tint, perfume, By the slender, tender Splendor Of the cherry trees a-bloom. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A COMPARISON by WILLIAM COWPER THE WHITE KNIGHT'S SONG by CHARLES LUTWIDGE DODGSON TO THE RIVER by EDGAR ALLAN POE THE PRINCESS: [BUGLE] SONG by ALFRED TENNYSON THE IMPROVISATORE: THE INDUCTION TO THE THIRD FYTTE by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES ROBERT E. LEE by GAMALIEL BRADFORD TWO SKETCHES: 1. H.B. by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING |