Singing in the Rain - An 1858 Nebraska Poem
By Florence Percy.
- Where the elm tree branches
- By the creek are stirred,
- Careless of the shower
- Swings a little bird;
- Clouds may frown and darken,
- Drops may fall in vain,
- Little cares the warbler
- Singing in the rain!
-
- Silence, soft, unbroken,
- Reigneth everywhere,
- Save the rain's low heart-throb
- Beating on the air,
- Save the song, which, pausing,
- With no answering s'main,
- Little cares the wild-bird
- Singing in the rain!
-
- Not yet are the orchards
- Rich with rosy snow,
- Nor with dandelions
- Are the fields a-glow,
- Yet almost, my fancy
- In his song's soft flow,
- Hear the June leaves whisper,
- And the roses blow!
-
- Dimmer fall the shadows,
- Mistier grows the air,
- Still the thick clouds gather
- Darkening here and there,
- From their heavy fringes
- Pour the drops again
- Still the bird is swinging,
- Singing in the rain.
-
- Oh, thou helpful singer,
- Whom my faith perceives
- To a dove transfigured
- Bringing olive leaves,
- Olive leaves of promise,
- Types of joy to be
- How in doubt and trial,
- Learns my heart in thee;
-
- Cheerful summer-prophet!
- Listening to thy song
- How my failing spirit
- Growth glad and strong!
- Let the dark clouds gather,
- Let the sunshine wane,
- If I may but join thee
- Singing in the rain!
July 1, 1858. Bellevue Gazette 2(32): 1.