Foliage: Various Poems

WINTER'S BEAUTY

     Is it not fine to walk in spring,
     When leaves are born, and hear birds sing?
     And when they lose their singing powers,
     In summer, watch the bees at flowers?
     Is it not fine, when summer's past,
     To have the leaves, no longer fast,
     Biting my heel where'er I go,
     Or dancing lightly on my toe?
     Now winter's here and rivers freeze;
     As I walk out I see the trees,
     Wherein the pretty squirrels sleep,
     All standing in the snow so deep:
     And every twig, however small,
     Is blossomed white and beautiful.
     Then welcome, winter, with thy power
     To make this tree a big white flower;
     To make this tree a lovely sight,
     With fifty brown arms draped in white,

     In soft white gloves of purest snow.