English poem
San Francisco, May, 1910
by Michael Earls (1875–1937)
Oh, the banks of May are fair, Charm of sound and sight, Breath of heaven fills the air, To the world’s delight.
Far more wondrous is a bower, Fairer than the May, Love-of-God it wears in flower, Blooming night and day.
Love-of-God within the heart Multicolored grows, Now a lily’s counterpart, Now the blood-red rose.
Come the sun or chilling rain, Come the drought or dew, Crocus health or violet pain, Love-of-God is true.
Hard may be the mountain-side, Soft the valley sod, Yet will fragrance sure abide With the Love-of-God.
Where the grace of Heaven leads, There it makes a home, Hills a hundred and the meads Will its pathway roam.
Carmel by the western sea Holds your blessed bower: Love-of-God eternally Keep your heart a-flower.