Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IN A TIME OF FLOWERS by SAROJINI NAIDU

First Line: O LOVE! DO YOU KNOW THE SPRING IS HERE
Last Line: TO WELCOME THE NEW-BORN YEAR?
Subject(s): BIRTH; FLOWERS; SPRING; CHILD BIRTH; MIDWIFERY;
O LOVE! do you know the spring is here
With the lure of her magic flute? ...
The old earth breaks into passionate bloom
At the kiss of her fleet, gay foot.
The burgeoning leaves on the almond boughs,
And the leaves on the blue wave's breast
Are crowned with the limpid and delicate light
Of the gems in your turban-crest.
The bright pomegranate buds unfold,
The frail wild lilies appear,
Like the blood-red jewels you used to fling
O'er the maidens that danced at the feast of spring
To welcome the new-born year.

O Love! do you know the spring is here? ...
The dawn and the dusk grow rife
With scent and song and tremulous mirth,
The blind, rich travail of life.
The winds are drunk with the odorous breath
Of @3henna, sarisha@1, and @3neem@1 ...
Do they ruffle your cold, strange, tranquil sleep,
Or trouble your changeless dream
With poignant thoughts of the world you loved,
And the beauty you held so dear?
Do you long for a brief, glad hour to wake
From your lonely slumber for sweet love's sake,
To welcome the new-born year?



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