Alabama, ipi8. 27 



APRIL'S GIFT 



John Burroughs, Born April 3, 1837 

 -♦©♦• 



APRIL, the child of sunshine and of rain, 

 Of the far heaven and of the near, sweet earth, 

 Calls ever back, after the winter's dearth, 

 Soft flashing wings to beat the air again, 

 Pale petaled flowers to star the barren plain, 

 The maple's rubies, — gems of unpriced worth ; 

 And meet it is that she should bring to birth 

 A soul to whom earth whispers not in vain ; 

 To -'him the great rocks and the glaciers hoar 

 Yield up the past's dim, unremembered hours, 

 The future speaks through prophesying trees, — 

 Yet, no less wise in all today's sweet lore. 

 He reads the secrets of the birds and flowers. 

 And hears the honied songs of garnering bees. 



Earth's lowlier creatures play about his feet, — 

 Why should they fear the presence of a friend? 

 Eager its little confidence to lend 

 The chipmunk builds for him its safe retreat ; 

 The nesting bird comes forth, his touch to meet, 

 From the bloom-laden boughs which o'er him bend; 

 From far and near, where'er his footsteps wend. 

 He brings back Nature's message, high and sweet. 

 Far has he fared : his face is toward the West, 

 But all the sky is soft with roseate glow, 

 Upon his pathway lies no cloud of gloom, — 

 For they who follow on such happy quest 

 Still hear the bugles of the morning blow, 

 Within their hearts undying April's bloom. 



— Frances Beers. 



