The Circle of Affection and Other Pieces in Prose and Verse

by Duncan Campbell Scott

 

THE ORCHARD IN MOONLIGHT

 
THE WANING moonlight flows in silver showers,
        Fallen from half the sphere;
The stilly orchard full of apple-flowers
        Beams mildly, phosphor clear.

No orchard odour flows and fails along
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        The chill and dewy air,
The scene might be a cadence in a song,
        Entrancèd unaware.

The tones of moony luster rounded shine,
        Lingering to some deep stress.
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Pauses of shadow in the liquid line,
        That hover passionless.

Until a flock of petals from the rims
        Of the grey underglow,
Floats in the shadow shimmering, and swims
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        Like a light ghost of snow.

Then all one way the trees lean, the gloom
        Stirs, and the spring-wind floods,
All the dark intervals with dense perfume,
        Breathed from the apple-buds.
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