Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


NO SONGS IN WINTER by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE SKY IS GRAY AS GRAY MAY BE
Last Line: AND GOLDEN ORIOLES COME AGAIN!
Subject(s): WINTER;

THE sky is gray as gray may be,
There is no bird upon the bough,
There is no leaf on vine or tree.

In the Neponset marshes now
Willow-stems, rosy in the wind,
Shiver with hidden sense of snow.

So too 'tis winter in my mind,
No light-winged fancy comes and stays:
A season churlish and unkind.

Slow creep the hours, slow creep the days,
The black ink crusts upon the pen --
Just wait till bluebirds, wrens, and jays
And golden orioles come again!



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