Where lilac trees are gossiping, <br /> <br />And whispering tell-tales to the breeze, <br /> <br />The sweet peas now are clambering <br />Across the old stump fence's knees. <br /> <br />Each hangs her pretty, graceful head, <br /> <br />The white, the pink, the mauve and red. <br /> <br />Above, the sunflower's golden throne <br />Resplendent shines across the leas ; <br /> <br />Below, I hear the monotone <br /> <br />Of happy-hearted bumble bees ; <br /> <br />And in the shade I hear the clink <br /> <br />Of some conceited bobolink. <br /> <br />The bumble bee is storing fast <br /> <br />His honey for his winter table, <br />And when the jars are filled at last <br />Each jar receives its proper label. <br />They 're labeled this wise, if you please ; <br />' Sweet Peas,' ' Sweet Peas,' ' Sweet Peas,' <br />' Sweet Peas.' <br /> <br />Once one I loved lay down to die ; <br /> <br />No power on earth had strength to save, <br />And when her soul went up on high <br /> <br />I planted sweet peas round her grave <br />To-night from out a thousand throats <br />To God a holy incense floats.<br /><br />Robert Kirkland Kernighan<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/sweet-peas-2/
