River Water

The Dance of River Water Sets all the leaves astir, And all the woods of Arcady Are glad because of her.

They whisper, "Listen, listen, While River Water sings That bubble song of bobolinks And wild June things."

And when the silver birches Are golden in the fall, And in the quiet sunlight The plaintive phoebes call,

I lie and listen, listen, While River Water sings The murmur song of meadow-bloom And white moth wings.

Among the silver birches Young River Water grew, A happy sprite who loved to dance Her joy the whole year through.

When first the wind of April Arose and called her clear, "Come forth from the cold stars and hills, O River Water, dear!"

Out from the stilly alders That keep the meadow side, A murmur through the melting snows Awakened and replied,

"From dream thou dost arouse me Under the wintry dome, But thy warm voice is sweet to hear. O Mother Wind, I come."

Shake out the buds of April, Sing of the growing year, Drum up glad morning on the heights, Thy dancing child is here.

Here is gay River Water, Thy fairy forest child, To dance with shadow and with shine, And learn their secrets wild.

Here in the wild-rose weather Laughs River Water brown, Dancing the gorgeous noons away, Dancing the twilights down;

Dancing the stars from slumber, Dancing the hills to sleep, Dancing the barley-colored moon Up from the beryl deep;

Dancing the dawn to ashes, Dancing the white day through, Until soft night comes round again With whippoorwills and dew.

And when the moon in winter Shall make the night like day, When all the creatures are asleep And all the birds away,

Though merry River Water A frosty robe must don, The crooning hill-born heart of her Will still go dancing on.

Enchanted by the echo Of an immortal chime, She knows what God intends to do With music and with rhyme.