MADAM April woke one morning Feeling fresh and sprightly, Saw a robin strutting round, Touched the bare earth lightly— Warm beneath dead leaves and bracken Sleepers without number Felt her touch and tried to rise, Shaking winter from soft eyes, Still in love with slumber. Snowdrop, daffodil and crocus, Wakened willy-nilly, Scrambled out without their caps, Found it pleasant—but perhaps Just a trifle chilly! In the coppice pussy-willows, Hooded, grey and furry, Heard the prisoned brooklet shout: "I'm awake! please let me out!—" Heard the frog croak "Hurry!" Mother trees, protesting, murmured "Why is youth so daring? I can't keep my buds in bed— They will catch cold-in-the-head, After all my caring!" No one listened—youth as ever, Needed none to warn her— Every growing, living thing Stood tip-toe—and just then, Spring Came around the corner! |