Br. F.O. Ticknor, Columbus, Ga.
- A deeper azure where the clouds are flying
- Along the upper sky —
- A softer shadow where the heavens are lying
- Oar forest pathway by —
- A sweeter murmur in the south winds sighing
- Tell us the Spring is nigh.
- The blue bird flits, and coos the ring-dove tender
- Amid the young green leaves;
- Mansions of mist and silver white and slender
- The shy wood spider weaves;
- Swingeth the swallow to his old home under
- The unforgotten eaves.
- Its bridal wreaths with starry gems of yellow,
- The jassmine's stores unfold,
- Adown the tresses of the trembling willow
- Dropping its bells of gold;
- Fit tracery to deck the perfumed pillow
- Where love's first dreams are told.
- A thousand forms, like frolic children hiding,
- Challenge the laughing showers,
- Watching the flight of pearly clouds and chiding
- The treasure-laden hours;
- A thousand forms of untold beauty, budding
- Amid the unborn flowers.
- A thousand forms, and not in nature, nature only
- The warm spring showers unfold;
- Another mission - pure and calm and holy.
- The voice of Spring has told,
- Waking some joy on souls long sad and lonely,
- Some hope in hearts long cold.
- Some light from sunlight may our sadness borrow,
- Some Strength from bright young wings;
- Some hope from brightening reasons, when each morrow
- A lovelier verdure brings;
- Some softened shadow of remembered sorrow
- From the calm depths of Spring.
- Blend thy blest visions with the sleep that cumbers
- The dull, cold earth so long;
- Bring bloom and fragrance to the flow'ret's slumbers,
- And bid our hearts by strong;
- Breathe thine on music through our spirit's numbers,
- Season of light and song.
April 20th, 1855.
April 21, 1876. Columbus Sunday Enquirer 20(97): 3.