But cheerily the chickadee

Singeth to me on fence and tree;

The snow sails round him as he sings,

White as the down on angels’ wings.

I watch the snow flakes as they fall

On bank and brier and broken wall;

Over the orchard, waste and brown,

All noiselessly they settle down,

Tipping the apple boughs and each

Light quivering twig of plum and peach.