The orchard lands of Long Ago! <br />O drowsy winds, awake, and blow <br />The snowy blossoms back to me, <br />And all the buds that used to be! <br />Blow back along the grassy ways <br />Of truant feet, and lift the haze <br />Of happy summer from the trees <br />That trail their tresses in the seas <br />Of grain that float and overflow <br />The orchard lands of Long Ago! <br /> <br />Blow back the melody that slips <br />In lazy laughter from the lips <br />That marvel much if any kiss <br />Is sweeter than the apple's is. <br />Blow back the twitter of the birds-- <br />The lisp, the titter, and the words <br />Of merriment that found the shine <br />Of summer-time a glorious wine <br />That drenched the leaves that loved it so, <br />In orchard lands of Long Ago! <br /> <br />O memory! alight and sing <br />Where rosy-bellied pippins cling, <br />And golden russets glint and gleam, <br />As, in the old Arabian dream, <br />The fruits of that enchanted tree <br />The glad Aladdin robbed for me! <br />And, drowsy winds, awake and fan <br />My blood as when it overran <br />A heart ripe as the apples grow <br />In orchard lands of Long Ago!<br /><br />James Whitcomb Riley<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-orchard-lands-of-long-ago/
