The First of May - A Memory

The waters make a music low: 2The river reeds Are trembling to the tunes of long ago — 2Dead days and deeds Become alive again, as on 2I float, and float, Through shadows of the golden summers gone 2And springs remote. Above my head the trees bloom out 2In white and red Great blossoms, that make glad the air about; 2And old suns shed Their rays athwart them. Ah, the light 2Is bright and fair! No suns that shine upon me now are bright 2As those suns were. And, gazing down into the stream, 2I see a face, As sweet as buds that blossom in a dream, 2Ere sorrows chase Fair dreams from men, and send in lieu 2Sad thoughts. A wreath Of blue-bells binds the head—a bluer blue 2The eyes beneath. This is my little Annie's face; 2My child-sweetheart Whom long ago I lost in that dark place 2Where all lives part. Beside me still I see her stand, 2Who is no more. She walked with me through childhood, hand in hand, 2But at the door Of youth departed from me. Fain 2Was I that day To go with her. Ah, sweetheart, come again 2This First of May!