April

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SAVOR of love is thick on the April air,
  The blunted boughs dispose their lacy bloom,
  And many sorry steeds dismissed to pasture
  Toss their old forelocks, flourish heavy heels.
  Where is there any unpersuaded poet
  So angry still against the wrongs of winter
  Which caused the dainty earth to droop and die,
  So vengeant for his vine and summer song,
  As to decline the good releasing thaw?
  Poets have temperature and follow seasons,
  And covenants go out at equinox.


  The champions! For Heaven, riding high
  Above the icy death, considered truly;
  "My agate icy work, I thought it fair;
  Yet I have lacked that pretty lift of praise
  That mounted once from these emaciate minstrels.
  They will not sing, and duty drops away
  And I must turn and make a soft amend!"
  At once he showered April down, until
  The bleak twigs bloom again; and soon, I swear,
  He shall receive his praise.

© John Crowe Ransom