April 20, 2021

Winter to Spring

By Joe

Winter to Spring
 By Irvin W. Underhill

Did not I remember that my hair is grey
  With only a fringe of it left,
I’d follow your footsteps from wee break of day
  Till night was of moon-light bereft.

Your eyes wondrous fountains of joy and of youth
  Remind me of days long since flown,
My sweetheart, I led to the altar of truth,
  But then the gay spring was my own.

Now winter has come with its snow and its wind
  And made me as bare as its trees,
Oh, yes, I still love, but it’s only in mind,
  For I’m fast growing weak at the knees.

Your voice is as sweet as the song of a bird,
  Your manners are those of the fawn,
I dream of you, darling,—oh, pardon, that word,
  From twilight to breaking of dawn.

Your name in this missive you’ll search for in vain,
  Nor mine at the finis, I’ll fling,
For winter must suffer the bliss and the pain
In secret for loving the spring.

Here in Vermont, we are not quite out of winter yet. We are expecting 3-6 inches of snow tomorrow and possibly more snow on Thursday. Spring is coming though.

The Poet
 Irvin W. Underhill was born in Port Clinton, Pennsylvania, on May 1, 1868. He is the author of Daddy’s Love and Other Poems (A.M.E. Book Concern, 1916).

About Joe

Unknown's avatar
I began my life in the South and for five years lived as a closeted teacher, but am now making a new life for myself as an oral historian in New England. I think my life will work out the way it was always meant to be. That doesn't mean there won't be ups and downs; that's all part of life. It means I just have to be patient. I feel like October 7, 2015 is my new birthday. It's a beginning filled with great hope. It's a second chance to live my life…not anyone else's. My profile picture is "David and Me," 2001 painting by artist Steve Walker. It happens to be one of my favorite modern gay art pieces. View all posts by Joe
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