"In the new birth of all things bright and fair,
'Tis only thou
Art very April, glory, light, and air,
And joy and ardour now."
Bliss Carman is a word-painter as well as a poet in his lyrical work. With what fairy-like magic he pictures the landscape, the colouring, the very breath of the summer wind, the rustle of leaves, and the swaying of the flower on its stem.
From a multitude of examples, here is one poem, entitled The Dance of the Sunbeam:
"When morning is high o'er the hilltops.
On river and stream and lake.
Whenever a young breeze whispers,
The sun-clad dancers wake.
"One after one upspringing,
They flash from their dim retreat,
Merry as running laughter
Is the news of their twinkling feet.
"Over the floors of azure
Whenever the wind flaws run,
Sparkling, leaping, and racing,
Their antics scatter the sun.
"As long as water ripples
And weather is clear and glad,
Day after day they are dancing,
Never a moment sad.
"But when through the field of heaven,
The wings of storm take flight,
At a touch of the flying shadows
They falter and slip from sight.
"Until, at the grey day's ending,
As the squadrons of cloud retire,
They pass in the triumph of sunset
With banners of crimson fire."