A Poet’s Fancies
III
To One Poem in a Silent Time |
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Who looked for thee, thou little song of mine?
This winter of a silent poet’s heart
Is suddenly sweet with thee. But what thou art,
Mid-winter flower, I would I could divine.
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Art thou a last one, orphan of thy line?
Did the dead summer’s last warmth foster thee?
Or is Spring folded up unguessed in me,
And stirring out of sight,—and thou the sign?
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Where shall I look—backwards or to the morrow
For others of thy fragrance, secret child?
Who knows if last things or if first things claim thee?
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—Whether thou be the last smile of my sorrow,
Or else a joy too sweet, a joy too wild,
How, my December violet, shall I name thee?
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