In Divers Tones

by Charles G.D. Roberts

Edited by Tracy Ware

 

TO FREDERICTON IN MAY-TIME

 
This morning, full of breezes and perfume,
   Brimful of promise of midsummer weather,
   When bees and birds and I are glad together,
Breathes of the full-leaved season, when soft gloom
Chequers thy streets, and thy close elms assume
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   Round roof and spire the semblance of green billows;
   Yet now thy glory is the yellow willows,
The yellow willows, full of bees and bloom.

Under their dusty blossoms blackbirds meet,
   And robins pipe amid the cedars nigher;
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Thro’ the still elms I hear the ferry’s beat;
   The swallows chirp about the towering spire;
The whole air pulses with its weight of sweet;
   Yet not quite satisfied is my desire!