WHEN rainy-greener shoots the grass And blooms the cherry tree, And children laugh by glittering brooks, Wild with the ecstasy Of bursting Spring, with twittering bird And hum of honey-bee, -- "Sis Rapalye!" my spirit shouts . . . And she is here with me! As laugh the children, so her laugh Haunts all the atmosphere; -- Her song is in the brook's refrain; Her glad eyes, flashing clear, Are in the morning dews; her speech Is melody so dear, The bluebird trills, -- "Sis Rapalye! -- I hear! -- I hear! -- I hear!" Again in races, at "Recess," I see her braided hair Toss past me as I stay to lift Her straw hat, fallen there; The school-bell sends a vibrant pang My heart can hardly bear. -- Yet still she leads -- Sis Rapalye -- And leads me everywhere! Now I am old. -- Yet she remains The selfsame child of ten. -- Gay, gallant little girl, to race On into Heaven then! Yet gallant, gay Sis Rapalye -- In blossom-time, and when The trees and grasses beckon her -- Comes back to us again. And so, however long since youth Whose raptures wild and free An old man's heart may claim no more, -- With more than memory I share the Spring's own joy that brings My boyhood back to me With laughter, blossoms, singing birds And sweet Sis Rapalye. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HYMN TO MONT BLANC [IN THE VALE OF CHAMOUNI] by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE SEA POPPIES by HILDA DOOLITTLE AT THE TAVERN by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR THE GREAT SAINT BERNARD by SAMUEL ROGERS ELEGIAC STANZAS by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 39. AL-HAFIZ by EDWIN ARNOLD TO BARON DE STONNE WITH AIKIN'S ESSAYS ON SONG-WRITING by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |