! 20 ARBOR DA Y MANUAL. 



APRIL AND MAY. 



BIRDS on the boughs before the buds 

 Begin to burst in the spring, 

 Bending their heads to the April floods, 

 Too much out of breath to sing ! 



They chirp, " Hey-day ! How the rain comes down ! 



Comrades cuddle together ! 

 Cling to the bark so rough and brown, 



For this is April weather. 



' Oh, the warm, beautiful, drenching rain ! 



I don't mind it, do you ? 

 Soon will the sky be clear again, 

 Smiling and fresh, and blue. 



' Sweet and sparkling is every drop 



That slides from the soft, gray clouds ; 

 Blossoms will blush to the very top 

 Of the bare old trees in crowds. 



' Oh, the warm, delicious, hopeful rain ! 



Let us be glad' together, 

 Summer comes flying in beauty again, 

 Through the fitful April weather." 



Skies are glowing in gold and blue, 



What did the briar bird say? 

 Plenty of sunshine to come, they knew, 



In the pleasant month of May ! 



She calls a breeze from the south to blow 



And breathe on the boughs so bare, 

 And straight, they are laden with rosy snow 



And there's honey and spice in the air 



Oh, the glad green leaves ! Oh, the happy wind ! 



Oh, delicate fragrance and balm ! 

 Storm and tumult are left behind 



In a rapture of golden calm. 



From dewy morning to starry night 



The birds sing sweet and strong, 

 That the radiant sky is filled with light, 



That the days are fair and long. 



That the bees are drowsy about the hive, 



Earth is so warm and gay ! 

 And 'tis joy enough to be alive 



In the heavenly month of May. CELIA THAXTER. 



