o spring thaw out my winter's chill
so cold I might be buried still
beneath the snow
long years I lay as one whose night
strong arms had banished from the light
to mute my song
now wake me from oblivion
bow down and lift me to the sun
like earth to plow
prepare for me some green retreat
enough for summer to complete
its ecstasy
let autumn shake its leaves at me
set laughter whirling from each tree
and I forget
then should my winter come at last
when darkened shadows overcast
the fields of men
I'll gladly say goodbye and go
while memories warm me with their glow
across the stile
for every year my dust shall rise
o'er mud and rust to welcome skies
where swallows soar
reply to critics