A Song Of Poppies

I love red poppies! Imperial red poppies! Sun-worshippers are they; Gladly as trees live through a hundred summers They live one little day.

I love red poppies! Impassioned scarlet poppies! Ever their strange perfume Seems like an essence brewed by fairy people From an immortal bloom.

I love red poppies! Red, silken, swaying poppies! Deep in their hearts they keep A magic cure for woe--a draught of Lethe-- A lotus-gift of sleep.

I love red poppies! Soft silver-stemmed, red poppies, That from the rain and sun Gather a balm to heal some earth-born sorrow, When their glad day is done.