THE BACKGROUND AND THE FIGURE

I think of the slope where the rabbits fed,

Of the periwinks’ rockwork lair,

Of the fuchsias ringing their bells of red -

And the something else seen there.

Between the blooms where the sod basked bright,

By the bobbing fuchsia trees,

Was another and yet more eyesome sight -

The sight that richened these.

I shall seek those beauties in the spring,

When the days are fit and fair,

But only as foils to the one more thing

That also will flower there!