Poem by John Payne

May

THE wild bird carolled all the April night,
Among the leafing limes, as who should say,
"Lovers, have heed; here cometh in your May,
When you shall walk in woods and heart's delight
Have in the fresh-flowered fields and spring's sweet sight!"
And truly, with the breaking of the day,
Came the glad month and all the world was gay
With lilac-breath and blossoms red and white.
Oh moon of love, how shall the snowtide do
To wind the world again with winter-death,
Whilst in our hearts the thought of thee is blent
With memories more sweet than honey-dew
Of all thy nights and days of ravishment,
Thy birds, thy cowslips, and thy hawthorn's breath?

1. The Foredawn Hour
2. September
3. July
4. June
5. August

Benjamin Brierley May ("MAY is come!—the month of flowers")

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