Kinship

There is no flower of wood or lea, No April flower, as fair as she: O white anemone, who hast The wind’s wild grace, Know her a cousin of thy race, Into whose face A presence like the wind’s hath passed.

There is no flower of wood or lea, No May-day flower, as fair as she: O bluebell, tender with the blue Of sapphire skies, Thy lineage hath kindred ties In her, whose eyes The heaven’s own qualities imbue.

There is no flower of wood or lea, No June-time flower, as fair as she: Rose,--odorous with beauty of Her lips that pressed,-- Behold thy sister here confessed! Whose maiden breast Is fragrant with the dreams of love.