The white water-lilies, they sleep on the lake, Till over the mountain the sun bids them wake. At the rose-tinted touch of the long, level ray, Each pure, perfect blossom unfolds to the day. Each affluent petal outstretched and uncurled To the glory and gladness and shine of the world. O whiter land-lily, asleep in the dawn, While yet the cool curtain of stars is half drawn, And all the dark forest is mystic and still, With the great yellow planet aglow on the hill, Hark, somewhere among the grey beeches a thrush Sends the first thrill of sound to requicken the hush! With a flutter of eyelids, a sigh soft and deep, An unfolding of rosy warm fingers from sleep, For one perfect day more to love, gladden and roam, Thy spirit comes back to its flowerlike home. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONNET TO --. by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD INSPIRATION by ABBIE FARWELL BROWN MY OWN EPITAPH by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) THE DEAR ADVENTURER by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON TOWARDS DEMOCRACY: PART 2. OF THE LOVE THAT YOU POURED FORTH by EDWARD CARPENTER |