SNOW-BOUND in woodland, a mournful word, <br /> Dropt now and then from the bill of a bird, <br /> Reached me on wind-wafts; and thus I heard, <br /> Wearily waiting:-- <br /> <br /> "I planned her a nest in a leafless tree, <br /> But the passers eyed and twitted me, <br /> And said: 'How reckless a bird is he, <br /> Cheerily mating!' <br /> <br /> "Fear-filled, I stayed me till summer-tide, <br /> In lewth of leaves to throne her bride; <br /> But alas! her love for me waned and died, <br /> Wearily waiting. <br /> <br /> "Ah, had I been like some I see, <br /> Born to an evergreen nesting-tree, <br /> None had eyed and twitted me, <br /> Cheerily mating!"<br /><br />Thomas Hardy<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/postponement/
