The Love Sonnets Of Proteus Part IV: Vita Nova: XCIV

A YEAR AGO

A year ago I too was proud of May,

I too delighted in the blackbird's song.

When the sun shone my soul made holiday.

When the rain fell I felt it as a wrong.

Then for me too the world was fresh and young.

Oh what a miracle each bluebell was!

How my heart leaped in union with my tongue,

When first I lit upon a stag's horn moss!

--A year ago! Alas, one Summer's fire,

One autumn's chill, one Winter's discontent,

And now one Spring of joy and hope deferred

Have brought me to this pass of undesire

That I behold May's veil of beauty rent

And stand unmoved by sun and flower and bird.