The May Tree / Radclyffe Hall

The May Tree

A garden in the month of May, 

The fading of a golden day 

     Upon the tulip flowers. 

An anthem sung by little birds, 

The sigh more eloquent than words 

     Of earth to listening hours. 

And shadows . . . like the fringe that lies 

On cheek, at close of drowsy eyes, 

     And paths, grown damp with dew; 

And secret places, where to tread 

Were to disturb the bridal bed 

     Of creatures born anew. 

And fairer than each living thing 

That stirs with longings of the Spring, 

     A May tree, bearing flower. 

Like some young nymph the sunlight charms 

She stretches forth her slender arms, 

     New decked with leafy dower, 

While through her wondrous, living form 

The sap of life leaps strong and warm, 

     Awaking from repose 

The folded buds to know the Spring, 

It seems I almost hear them sing 

     For rapture as it flows. 

Ay! and it seems as though my heart 

Strained upward, but to take some part 

     In that sweet hymn of praise; 

As though my pulses quicker beat, 

To see perfection so complete 

     Revealed to my gaze. 

As though the problem of unrest 

Were solved at last, in this behest 

     To silently fulfil; 

And deeper still, my soul perceives 

The mighty Presence that conceives 

     Such beauty at Its will. 

~~

Radclyffe Hall (1880-1943)

from 'Twixt Earth and Stars, 1906

[Poem is in the public domain in Canada, the United States, and the European Union]

Radclyffe Hall biography