NOT seldom, whilst the Winter yet is king,
Whilst yet the meads are mute and boughs are bare,
A stirring in the February air
There comes, as with a faint foreshadowing,
A passing prophecy of far-off Spring
And distant days, when all the world shall wear
The lovely liveries of Summer fair,
That sets our wintry thought upon the wing.
Well though we know the thing’s a Winter’s trick,
To hold the soul with expectation sick,
And he will soon resume his iron reign,
Yet our fond hearts alone with hope in vain
Swell not; for hark, the swallows in the eaves
Rejoice as though the world were lush with leaves.
(John Payne)
More Poetry from John Payne:
John Payne Poems based on Topics: World, Winter, Summer, Fairness, Kings & Queens, Soul- The Foredawn Hour (John Payne Poems)
- The 'Sad Ditty' Born Of The Story Of Isabella (John Payne Poems)
- April (John Payne Poems)
- October (John Payne Poems)
- December (John Payne Poems)
- August (John Payne Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: World Poems, Soul Poems, Fairness Poems, Kings & Queens Poems, Summer Poems, Winter PoemsBased on Keywords: liveries, foreshadowing