FRINGING cypress forests dim Where the owl makes weird abode, Bending down with spicy limb O'er the old plantation road Through the swamp and up the hill, Where the dappled byways run, Round the gin-house, by the mill, Floats its incense to the sun. Swift to catch the voice of spring, Soon its tasselled blooms appear; Modest in their blossoming, Breathing balm and waving cheer; Rare the greeting that they send To the fragrant wildwood blooms, Bidding every blossom blend In a chorus of perfumes. On it leans the blackberry vine, With white sprays caressingly; Round its knees the wild peas twine, Beckoning to the yellow bee; Through its boughs the red-bird flits Like a living flake of fire, And with love-enlightened wits Weaves his nest and tunes his lyre. Oh, where skies are summer-kissed, And the drowsy days are long, 'Neath the sassafras to list To the field-hand's mellow song! Or, more sweet than chimes that hang In some old cathedral dome, Catch the distant klingle-klang Of the cow-bells tinkling home! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...OWEN SEAMAN; ESTABLISHES ENTENE CORDIALE IN MANNER GUY WETMORE CARRYL by LOUIS UNTERMEYER OUT OF THE HILLS by IRENE ARCHER WINGS AT DAWN by JOSEPH AUSLANDER CELESTIAL HEIGHTS by ALFRED AUSTIN EMBLEMS OF LOVE: 11. LOVE WILL OUT by PHILIP AYRES LEAVES A-VALLEN by WILLIAM BARNES |