Today I opened wide my eyes, <br />And stared with wonder and surprise, <br />To see beneath November skies <br />An apple blossom peer; <br />Upon a branch as bleak as night <br />It gleamed exultant on my sight, <br />A fairy beacon burning bright <br />Of hope and cheer. <br /> <br />"Alas!" said I, "poor foolish thing, <br />Have you mistaken this for Spring? <br />Behold, the thrush has taken wing, <br />And Winter's near." <br />Serene it seemed to lift its head: <br />"The Winter's wrath I do not dread, <br />Because I am," it proudly said, <br />"A Pioneer. <br /> <br />"Some apple blossom must be first, <br />With beauty's urgency to burst <br />Into a world for joy athirst, <br />And so I dare; <br />And I shall see what none shall see - <br />December skies gloom over me, <br />And mock them with my April glee, <br />And fearless fare. <br /> <br />"And I shall hear what none shall hear - <br />The hardy robin piping clear, <br />The Storm King gallop dark and drear <br />Across the sky; <br />And I shall know what none shall know - <br />The silent kisses of the snow, <br />The Christmas candles' silver glow, <br />Before I die. <br /> <br />"Then from your frost-gemmed window pane <br />One morning you will look in vain, <br />My smile of delicate disdain <br />No more to see; <br />But though I pass before my time, <br />And perish in the grale and grime, <br />Maybe you'll have a little rhyme <br />To spare for me."<br /><br />Robert William Service<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/courage-10/
