It is summer! it is summer! how beautiful it looks!
There is sunshine on the old gray hills, and sunshine on the brooks
A singing-bird on every bough, soft perfumes on the air,
A happy smile on each young lip, and gladness everywhere.
Oh! is it not a pleasant thing to wander through the woods,
To look upon the painted flowers, and watch the opening buds;
Or seated in the deep cool shade at some tall ash-tree’s root,
To fill my little basket with the sweet and scented fruit?
They tell me that my father’s poor — that is no grief to me
When such a blue and brilliant sky my upturn’d eye can see;
They tell me, too, that richer girls can sport with toy and gem;
It may be so — and yet, methinks, I do not envy them.
When forth I go upon my way, a thousand toys are mine,
The clusters of dark violets, the wreaths of the wild vine;
My jewels are the primrose pale, the bind-weed, and the rose;
And shew me any courtly gem more beautiful than those.
And then the fruit! the glowing fruit, how sweet the scent it breathes!
I love to see its crimson cheek rest on the bright green leaves!
Summer’s own gift of luxury, in which the poor may share,
The wild-wood fruit my eager eye is seeking everywhere.
Oh! summer is a pleasant time, with all its sounds and sights;
Its dewy mornings, balmy eves, and tranquil calm delights;
I sigh when first I see the leaves fall yellow on the plain,
And all the winter long I sing — Sweet summer, come again.
(Mary Botham Howitt)
More Poetry from Mary Botham Howitt:
Mary Botham Howitt Poems based on Topics: Flowers, Money & Wealth, Summer, Time, Happiness, Winter- The Old Man's Story (Mary Botham Howitt Poems)
- The Wood-Mouse (Mary Botham Howitt Poems)
- The Spider And The Fly (Mary Botham Howitt Poems)
- The Sparrow's Nest (Mary Botham Howitt Poems)
- The Fossil Elephant (Mary Botham Howitt Poems)
- Religious Reflections On Winter: The Creator To Be Praised For All Things (Mary Botham Howitt Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Time Poems, Flowers Poems, Happiness Poems, Money & Wealth Poems, Summer Poems, Winter PoemsBased on Keywords: ash-tree, upturn, singing-bird