Of an Orchard.

By Katharine Tynan Hinkson (1861–1931)

GOOD is an Orchard, the Saint saith, To meditate on life and death, With a cool well, a hive of bees, A hermit’s grot below the trees.   Good is an Orchard: very good,         5 Though one should wear no monkish hood; Right good when Spring awakes her flute, And good in yellowing time of fruit:   Very good in the grass to lie And see the network ’gainst the sky,         10 A living lace of blue and green And boughs that let the gold between.   The bees are types of souls that dwell With honey in a quiet cell; The ripe fruit figures goldenly         15 The soul’s perfection in God’s eye.   Prayer and praise in a country home Honey and fruit: a man might come Fed on such meats to walk abroad And in his Orchard talk with God.         20

Use this to write all your poetry!

Youth and Maidenhood.

By Sarah Williams (1837–1868)

LIKE a drop of water is my heart   Laid upon her soft and rosy palm, Turn’d whichever way her hand doth turn,   Trembling in an ecstasy of calm.   Like a broken rose-leaf is my heart,         5   Held within her close and burning clasp, Breathing only dying sweetness out,   Withering beneath the fatal grasp.   Like a vapoury cloudlet is my heart,   Growing into beauty near the sun,         10 Gaining rainbow hues in her embrace,   Melting into tears when it is done.   Like mine own dear harp is this my heart,   Dumb without the hand that sweeps its strings; Tho’ the hand be careless or be cruel,         15   When it comes my heart breaks forth and sings.