When winter covering all the ground <br />Hides every sign of Spring, sir. <br />However you may look around, <br />Pray what will then you sing, sir? <br /> <br />The Spring was here last year I know, <br />And many bards did flute, sir; <br />I shall not fear a little snow <br />Forbid me from my lute, sir. <br /> <br />If words grow dull and rhymes grow rare, <br />I'll sing of Spring's farewell, sir. <br />For every season steals an air, <br />Which has a Springtime smell, sir. <br /> <br />But if upon the other side, <br />With passionate longing burning, <br />Will seek the half unjeweled tide, <br />And sing of Spring's returning.<br /><br />Paul Laurence Dunbar<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/when-winter-darkening-all-around/
