“The Way Thou Singest”

 

Ah, I have heard a meadow-lark 
Sing o’er the growing corn 
In notes of passion and desire, 
At early primrose morn― 
So full and rich and sweet, 
My heart with rapture beat, 
And for remembered years 
Up sprang the tears. . . .
And here―and now― 
So singest thou! 
And I have heard―and seen―the notes 
Of a brief summer rain 
Burst into sudden, lyric gold 
Upon my window-pane― 
When sunset’s lucent flame 
For one sweet instant came― 
Born of the rain’s desire 
And the sunset’s fire. . . .
And here―and now― 
So singest thou! 
I dreamed I heard an angel sing 
With rapt and lifted eyes; 
With marvel in his voice and look 
And in his heart surprise 
That the angels leaned from sleep 
To hear and bow and weep, 
Thinking of ones loved so 
On earth below. . . .
And here―and now―
So singest thou! 

 
“The Way Thou Singest” as it appears in Higginson’s When the Birds Go North Again (1898).