I USED to wear a gown of green
And sing a song to May,
When apple blossoms starred the stream
And Spring came up the way.
I used to run along with Love
By lanes the world forgets,
To find in an enchanted wood
The first frail violets.
And ever ‘mid the fairy blooms
And murmur of the stream,
We used to hear the pipes of Pan
Call softly through our dream.
But now, in outcry vast, that tune
Fades like some little star
Lost in an anguished judgment day
And scarlet flames of war.
What can it mean that Spring returns
And purple violets bloom,
Save that some gypsy flower may stray
Beside his nameless tomb!
To pagan Earth her gown of green,
Her elfin song to May-
With all my soul I must go on
Into the scarlet day.
(Katherine Hale)
More Poetry from Katherine Hale:
Katherine Hale Poems based on Topics: World, War & Peace, Fairy, Flowers, Dreams, Romantic Love- The Answer (Katherine Hale Poems)
- To Peter Pan In Winter (Katherine Hale Poems)
- Grey Knitting (Katherine Hale Poems)
- You Who Have Gaily Left Us (Katherine Hale Poems)
- When You Return (Katherine Hale Poems)
- At Noon (Katherine Hale Poems)