The stars are large as lilies! Morn Seems some illumined story -- The story of our Savior born, Told from old turrets hoary -- The full moon smiling tips a horn And hies to bed in glory! My sunclad city walks in light And lasting summer weather; Red roses bloom on bosoms white And rosy cheeks together. If you should smite one cheek, still smite For she will turn the other. The thronged warm street tides to and fro And Love, roseclad, discloses. The only snowstorm we shall know Is this white storm of roses -- It seems like Maytime, mating so, And -- Nature counting noses. Soft sea winds sleep on yonder tide; You hear some boatmen rowing. Their sisters' hands trail o'er the side; They toy with warm waves flowing; Their laps are laden deep and wide From rose-trees green and growing. Such roses white! such roses red! Such roses richly yellow! The air is like a perfume fed From autumn fruits full mellow -- But see! a brother bends his head, An oar forgets its fellow! Give me to live in land like this, Nor let me wander further; Some sister in some boat of bliss And I her only brother -- Sweet paradise on earth it is; I would not seek another. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO J. D. H. (KILLED AT SURREY C. H., OCTOBER, 1866) by SIDNEY LANIER SMOKING SPIRITUALIZED by RALPH ERSKINE TROY TOWN by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI ON THE VIRGINITY OF THE VIRGIN MARY AND JOHANNA SOUTHCOTT by WILLIAM BLAKE THE WEDDING FEAST: 6 by ANNA HEMPSTEAD BRANCH JOCHANAN HAKKADOSH: NOTE by ROBERT BROWNING TO MY BROTHER (1) by MARY BRYAN ON STIRLING; SEEING THE ROYAL PALACE IN RUIN by ROBERT BURNS |