It befell me on a day- <br /> Long ago; ah, long ago! <br />When my life was in its May, <br /> In the May-month of the year. <br /> All the orchards were like snow <br />With pink-flushes here and there; <br /> And a bird sang building near- <br />And a bird sang far away, <br />Where the early twilight lay. <br /> <br /> Long ago; ah, long ago! <br />Youth’s sweet May passed quite away- <br />May that never more is May. <br /> And I hear the nightingale <br /> Singing far adown the vale <br /> Where the early twilight lies: <br />Singing sad, and sweet, and strong; <br />And I wonder if the song <br /> May be heard in Paradise!<br /><br />Ina D. Coolbrith<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-hope/
