18 Bird Day Book 



LONGINGS FOR SPRING 



IF I could come when springtime comes 

 And breathe the April sky 

 And see the pageant of the flowers 



In purple bloom go by; 

 If I could come when robin wakes 



And lie upon the hill, 

 And watch the gradual green return, 

 And hear the tinkling rill ! 



If I could come when springtime comes 



And feel its sun and rain, 

 And see the old, divine event 



Of life renewed again; 

 If I could come a little while 



Each year through all the years, 

 Why, then, I would not strive with death 



And would not think of tears ! 



If I could come when springtime comes 



And watch its violet birth. 

 And see the little green fields run 



Together round the earth ; 

 And hear the mating songs once more. 



The heart-beat of the lark, 

 I would not fear the dust of death 



Nor dread the utter dark! 



If I could come when springtime comes 



And drink its beauty down, 

 And see its little blooms creep up 



To take the noisy town; 

 Oh, I would lie and never wake 



Through all that other time, 

 With folded hands and marble flesh 



And lips devoid of rhyme ! 



