THE PASSING OF THE HAWTHORN

The coming of the hawthorn brings on earth

Heaven: all the spring speaks out in one sweet word,

And heaven grows gladder, knowing that earth has heard.

Ere half the flowers are jubilant in birth,

The splendour of the laughter of their mirth

Dazzles delight with wonder: man and bird

Rejoice and worship, stilled at heart and stirred

With rapture girt about with awe for girth.

The passing of the hawthorn takes away

Heaven: all the spring falls dumb, and all the soul

Sinks down in man for sorrow. Night and day

Forego the joy that made them one and whole.

The change that falls on every starry spray

Bids, flower by flower, the knell of springtime toll.