THE PROMISE OF SPRING

BLUE-BLACK like the breast of the gusty sea,

Cumulus clouds where the sun goes down,

Stormful shadows against the gold,

Under the arches of even blown.

Nowhere a white bird beating the storm,

Nowhere a sunray gilding the sea;

Bud nor leaf on the orchard bough,

Butterfly, nor blossom, nor bee.

Yet to-night, where the blue waves beat,

Under the shadows, the storm-winds bring

Omen mysterious out of the dusk,

Out of the darkness the promise of Spring.