Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, EARLY APRIL, by JOHN BURROUGHS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

EARLY APRIL, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Behold the robin's breast aglow
Last Line: Renewed by love as at the first.
Subject(s): April


Behold the robin's breast aglow
An on the lawn he seeks his game;
His cap a darker hue doth show,
His bill a yellow flame.

Now in the elm-tops see the swarm
Of swelling buds like bees in May;
The maples, too, have tints blood warm,
And willows show a golden ray.

In sunny woods the mould makes room
For liver leaf to ope her eye;
A tiny firmament of bloom
With stars upon a mimic sky.

Forth from the hive go voyaging bees,
Cruising far each sunny hour;
Scenting sap 'mid maple trees,
Or sifting bread from sawdust flour.

Up from the marsh a chorus shrill
Of piping frogs swells in the night;
The meadowlark shows flashing quill
As o'er brown fields she takes her flight.

Now "mourning-cloak" takes up her clew
And dances through the sunny glades;
And sluggish turtles painted new
Are creeping forth where bittern wades.

Now screaming hawks soar o'er the wood,
And sparrows red haunt bush banks;
The starlings gossip, "Life is good,"
And grackles pass in sable ranks.

The rye-fields show a tender hue
Of freshening green amid the brown,
And pussy-willow's clad anew
Along the brook in silver gown.

The purple finch hath found his tongue,
From out the elm tree what a burst!
Now once again all things are young,
Renewed by love as at the first.





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