I <br /> <br />Winter without <br />And warmth within; <br />The winds may shout <br />And the storm begin; <br />The snows may pack <br />At the window pane, <br />And the skies grow black, <br />And the sun remain <br />Hidden away <br />The livelong day-- <br />But here--in here is the warmth of May! <br /> <br />II <br /> <br />Swoop your spitefullest <br />Up the flue, <br />Wild Winds--do! <br />What in the world do I care for you? <br />O delightfullest <br />Weather of all, <br />Howl and squall, <br />And shake the trees till the last leaves fall! <br /> <br />III <br /> <br />The joy one feels, <br />In an easy chair, <br />Cocking his heels <br />In the dancing air <br />That wreathes the rim of a roaring stove <br />Whose heat loves better than hearts can love, <br />Will not permit <br />The coldest day <br />To drive away <br />The fire in his blood, and the bliss of it! <br /> <br />IV <br /> <br />Then blow, Winds, blow! <br />And rave and shriek, <br />And snarl and snow <br />Till your breath grows weak-- <br />While here in my room <br />I'm as snugly shut <br />As a glad little worm <br />In the heart of a nut!<br /><br />James Whitcomb Riley<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/winter-fancies/
