BRINGING HOME THE COWS

WHEN potatoes were in blossom,
    When the new hay filled the mows,
Sweet the paths we trod together,
    Bringing home the cows.

What a purple kissed the pasture,

    Kissed and blessed the alder-boughs,
As we wandered slow at sundown,
    Bringing home the cows!

How the far-off hills were gilded
    With the light that dream allows,

As we built our hopes beyond them,
    Bringing home the cows!

How our eyes were bright with visions,
    What a meaning wreathed our brows,
As we watched the cranes, and lingered,

    Bringing home the cows!

Past the years, and through the distance,
    Throbs the memory of our vows.
Oh that we again were children
    Bringing home the cows!