Page:The Collected Poems of Dora Sigerson Shorter.djvu/189



All in a bleak December My heart had summer-time; Crouched by the glowing ember, We found an Eden's clime. The storm that shook the casements Made laughter in my ears; No frown thy gloom, December, Sweet rain that was not tears.

All in the month of roses My heart is like to die; Now winter's gloom encloses, We thought it passed us by; And so my young companions Fall laughing back from me: For dreary melancholy Is no good company.

O who can smile in summer, When winter rules their heart?— When pleading Ups grow dumb, or Clasped hands fall apart? White cheeks more chill than snowing. Dull eyes so full of rain. Pale lips that part for sighing, Where is your summer's gain?