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From
the Book of Valentines
by
Bliss Carman
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A
MIDWINTER MEMORY
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Now
the snow is on the roof,
Now the wind is in the flue,
Beauty, keep no more aloof,
Make my winter dreaming true,
Give my fancy proof.
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5 |
How the year runs back to June,
To the day I saw you first!
In the sultry afternoon
There the mountains lay immersed
In a summer swoon.
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10 |
In the orchard with your book,
I can see you now as then—
That serene and smiling look,
Far away and back again,
While my spirit shook. |
15 |
Now the frost is on the pane,
And the winter on the sea,
Gold across the iron strain,
Thought of you comes back to me,
Like a lost refrain. |
20 |
What a voice it was I heard!
All your j's were soft as d's,
Like the nest-notes of a bird,
And your fingers clasped your knees,
As you smiled each word. |
25 |
Well I knew you for the one
Sought so long and never found,
In this country of the sun,
All these burning summers round.
There, the search was done!
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30 |
Now the dark is at the door;
Now the snow is on the sill;
And for all I may deplore,
Time must have his ancient will—
Mar one lover more. |
35 |
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