Among the Trees Again

Chapter 4: THE WISHING-SPRING

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

About This Book

A sequence of short lyrical poems evokes rural and coastal scenes and the passage of seasons through attentive images of trees, birds, rivers, gardens, and moonlit hours. Each poem pairs precise natural description with a reflective mood, moving from springtime awakenings and playful vignettes to quieter autumnal and wintry meditations. Recurring motifs include longing for intimate contact with green growth, the music of bird-song and water, and gentle sentiments about memory, friendship, and sympathy. The pieces favor delicate imagery and musical diction, alternating lively observation with contemplative reverie.

THE WISHING-SPRING

I knelt beside the fairy spring,
Among the tasseled weeds;
Far off, with dreamy murmuring,
The wind piped through the reeds.

Once, twice, the brimming cup I raised
With trembling finger-tips,
And in its limpid crystal gazed,
Nor laid it to my lips.

Ah me! the eager heart-desires,
So thronging swift they came,
My spirit surged like wind-swept fires,
I knew not which to name.

—Then all at once, I quickly quaffed
The shining drops; but lo,
The wish with that enchanted draught
No man must ever know!