May

          The sweet, voluptuous May
Is here at length—through all its sunny hours
Over the grateful earth to sprinkle flowers
          In beautiful array
And clothe with deeper verdure hill and plain,
And give the woods their glory back again.

          No bird whose swelling throat
Quivers with song, or whose extended wing
Fans the soft air, but cheerlier doth sing—
          And on the breezes float
Odors from blossoms which the sun’s caress
Hath woke to life in field and wilderness.

          The shimmering sunlight falls
On mount and valley with a softer sheen—
And lo! the orchards newly clothed in green,
          Light up their coronals
Or flowers bright-hued—or, shaken by the breeze,
Rian fragrant blossoms from a thousand trees.

          The green and tender maize
Pierces the moistened mould; and from the air
And from the sunshine gathers strength to dare
          The sultry summer days—
With care the farmer tends the fragile shoot,
And, hopeful, trusts the future for his fruit.

          Out underneath the sky
Where the free winds may toss their sunny curls,
Frolic the happy children—boys and girls—
          In sinless revelry;
While Nature smiles approving on their play,
And lambs and birds with them keep holiday!

          All gentle things rejoice
In the calm loveliness around them spread,
Green earth beneath, the blue sky overhead—
          And with exultant voice
Pour their thanksgivings to the Lord of all
Who marks an Empire’s, or a sparrow’s fall.

          Then welcome, bonny May,
With thy soft sunshine and thy fragrant flowers,
Thy balmy breezes and thy laughing hours—
          The glad year’s holiday!
With grateful hearts thy presence will we bless,
And in thy gifts rejoice with thankfulness.