[JUNE IN THE SKY]

Slow through the light and silent air,

Up climbs the smoke on its spiral stair—

The visible flight of some mortal’s prayer;

The trees are in bloom with the flowers of frost,

But never a feathery leaf is lost;

The spring, descending, is caught and bound

Ere its silver feet can touch the ground;

So still is the air that lies, this morn,

Over the snow-cold fields forlorn,