Harriet Monroe

From “Poems of Travel”

SO light and soft the days fall—

Like petals one by one

Down from yon tree whose flowers all

Must vanish in the sun.

Like almond-petals down, dear,

Odorous, rosy-white,

Falling to our green world here

Off the thick boughs of night.

One like another still lies—

Tomorrow is today.

Always the buzzing bee flies,

Who never flies away.

Ever the same blue sky rounds

Its chalice for the sun.

The mountains at the world’s bounds

Their purple chorals run.

And ever you and I, friend,

Free of this mortal scheme,

Look out beyond desire’s end

And dream the spacious dream.