Cross Roads

APRIL

     I had not meant to love again—all that was lost to
        me,
     For I had felt love's fear and pain, as well as ecstasy;
     I closed my heart, and locked the door, and tossed
        away the key.

     All through the winter-time I sat before my flaming
        fire,
     And listened to the sleigh-bells chime, and watched
        the flames leap higher,
     To grasp at shadows, sombre-hued, with fiendish, red
        desire.

     And then mad April came again—I felt the breezes
        blowing,
     And I forgot the fear, the pain.... I only knew
        that, glowing,
     In shady nook and garden spot, pale hyacinths were
        growing.

     And when across the perfumed lea (for nothing could
        defeat him! )
     My vagrant love crept back to me... I did not
        mean to greet him;
     But April opened up my heart, and, oh, I ran to
        meet him!