To her Grandfather on his Birthday.
OH sweet is light that dawns from gloom,
And hope that springs from grief;
Soon bud the violets on the tomb
Of Winter’s despot chief.
With many a death-presaging cry,
Loud wails the hoary king;
With clouds he fortifies the sky
Against the warrior Spring.
But though his helmet’s plume is bright
With rain instead of dew,
With sunbeam sword the youthful knight
Shall cleave his passage through.
But long ere he, with victor shout,
The crown of earth shall win;
While grim old Winter rules without,
Our Spring sits throned within.
In vain the winds, with stormy strife,
His first pale buds destroy,
If, nourished by our dearest life,
Still blossom Love and Joy.
For though the days are darkly sad,
And though the nights are drear,
Yet loving hearts may still be glad
Through all the changing year.
And even Winter on the land
A few fair gifts bestows,
Like treasures that a tyrant’s hand
Amid his courtiers throws.
In gardens that deserted lie
Some flowers may linger yet,
And often, in a stormy sky,
A few faint stars are set.
And so before the blossoms bright
Have decked the earth again,
Before the jewelled arch of light
Shines through the summer rain,
Some days will come that lift awhile
Their veils of gloom and mist,
And, with a calm, rejoicing smile,
By pensive sunlight kissed.
This day is fair, though stern and cold
Its pallid brow may be;
Where others only frowns behold
There yet are smiles for me.
Though all the dreary land is shorn
Of beauty, bloom, and grace,
How can I choose but love the morn
That first beheld thy face?
(Constance Naden)
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Based on Topics: Life Poems, Night Poems, Light Poems, Sadness Poems, Faces Poems, Joy & Excitement Poems, Fairness Poems, Flowers Poems, Cry Poems, Kings & Queens Poems, Beauty PoemsBased on Keywords: fortifies