| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 1232. Blossom Time |
| | | By Wilbur Larremore |
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| SPRING came with tiny lances thrusting, | |
| And earth was clad in peeping green; | |
| In russet bark, the twigs incrusting, | |
| Tenderest blossom-points were seen; | |
| A robin courier proclaimed good cheer: | 5 |
| Summer will soon arrive, for I am here. | |
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| And now from cherry boughs in flower | |
| The languid breeze arousing shakes, | |
| With every honeyed breath, a shower | |
| Of feather snow in drifting flakes; | 10 |
| And apple trees in bloom, like ricks of white, | |
| Are veiled with smoky, amethystine light. | |
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| Ah, little soul, on thy first spring | |
| Unclosing merry, puzzled eyes, | |
| Would that a father’s thought could bring | 15 |
| Prophetic counsel more than wise | |
| To guide thee as a father’s love would yearn,— | |
| Thou hast so much to suffer and to learn! | |
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| I cannot live thy life for thee, | |
| My precepts would be dull and trite, | 20 |
| Barren as last year’s leaves to me | |
| Beneath the apple blossoms white; | |
| But in thy new horizon’s vaster range | |
| Our hearts close knit shall feel no chilling change. | |
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