How should I chose to walk the world with thee, <br />Mine own beloved? When green grass is stirred <br />By summer breezes, and each leafy tree <br />Shelters the nest of many a singing bird? <br />In time of roses, when the earth doth lie <br />Dressed in a garment of midsummer hues, <br />Beneath a canopy of sapphire sky, <br />Lulled by a soft wind's song? Or should I choose <br />To walk with thee along a wintry road, <br />Through flowerless fields, thick-sown with frosty rime, <br />Beside an ice-bound stream, whose waters flowed <br />In voiceless music all the summer-time? <br />In winter dreariness, or summer glee, <br />How should I choose to walk the world with thee? <br /> <br />The time of roses is the time of love, <br />Ah, my dear heart! but winter fires are bright, <br />And in the lack of sunshine from above <br />We tend more carefully love's sacred light. <br />The path among the roses lieth soft, <br />Sun-kissed and radiant under youthful feet; <br />But on a wintry way true hands more oft <br />Do meet and cling in pressure close and sweet. <br />There is more need of love's supporting arm <br />Along life's slippery pathway, in its frost; <br />There is more need for love to wrap us warm <br />Against life's cold, when summer flowers are lost. <br />Let others share thy life's glad summer glow, <br />But let me walk beside thee in its snow.<br /><br />Anonymous Americas<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/in-snow-time/
