On a Verandah

J. R. Hervey

In the full embrance of sunshine I look upon
The cold and cruel grass, upon the damp
And crumpled leaves, and, warm with confidence,
I am withdrawn from the welter of decay
And glistening winter. O residence of life
In which I sit, the heat of love about me
And comforts cringing, resist the rainy wind,
The sly disaster creeping through the night,
The thieving hand of loss, the heavy tread
And possessive voice of sorrow, or if thunder
Leaving the sky splinter my solid peace,
Support the heart and let no ruin ravish.

Cool and green
Let death lie, and the token leaves betray
To no friendless fall, but let the path sing
With the romances of spring, and let the heat burn,
And the growing gold wipe winter from the grass.