Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.

Bliss Carman 1861–1929

A Windflower

Carman-B

BETWEEN the roadside and the wood,

Between the dawning and the dew,

A tiny flower before the wind,

Ephemeral in time, I grew.

The chance of straying feet came by,—

Nor death nor love nor any name

Known among men in all their lands,—

Yet failure put desire to shame.

To-night can bring no healing now,

The calm of yesternight is gone;

Surely the wind is but the wind,

And I a broken waif thereon.

How fair my thousand brothers wave

Upon the floor of God’s abode:

Whence came that careless wanderer

Between the woodside and the road!