A Summer Day.
There’s a gaping rent in the curtain1
That longs for a needle and thread,2
There’s a garment that ought to be finished,3
And a book that wants to be read.4
There’s a letter that ought to be answered,5
There are clothes to fold away,6
And I know these tasks are wanting,7
And ought to be done to-day.8
But how can I mend the curtain,9
While watching this silvery cloud ;10
And how can I finish the garment,11
When the robin calls so loud ?12
And the whispering trees are telling13
Such stories above my head,14
That I can but lie and listen,15
And the book is all unread.16
If I try to write the letter,17
I am sure one-half the words18
Will be in the curious language19
Of my chattering friends, the birds,20
The lilacs bloom in the sunshine,21
The roses nod and smile,22
And the clothes that ought to be folded23
And ironed, must wait awhile.24
I lie in the chestnut shadows,25
And gaze at the summer sky,26
Bidding the cares and troubles27
And trials of life pass by.28
The beautiful chestnut-blossoms29
Are falling about my feet,30
And the dreamy air is laden31
With their odours rare and sweet.32
The honey-bees hum in the clover,33
The grasses rise and fall,34
The robin stops and listens,35
As he hears the brown thrush call.36
And the birds sing to me softly,37
The butterfly flits away—38
Oh, what could be sweeter than living39
This beautiful summer day !40