California Skies

CALIFORNIA skies!

Balm for the eyes!

Where orange trees or redwoods rise;

By Shasta’s snow, Diego’s sand,

Or old Diablo’s dream set land;

By San Francisco Bay so blue,

Or down some cypress avenue

Near Monterey; by lake, Sierra rimmed,

Or yet afar in valleys vineyard trimmed;

On plain where Ceres waves her wand,

Or where Pomona fond

And all her train in foothill orchards drowse

Under low bending boughs—

Look up!

And from the turquoise cup

Drain dreams and rest!

Ah, none so blest

As one who, weary of life’s endless quest

In this fair meadow, poppy pillowed, lies,

Day dreaming ’neath these California skies—

Balm for the eyes!