Classic Poem

When the body might free, and there was use in walking,
In October time — crystal air-time and free words were talking
In my mind with light tunes and bright streams ran free;
When the earth smelt, leaves shone and air and cloud had glee;

Then there was salt in life but now none is known
To me who cannot go either where the white is blown
Of the grass, or scarlet willow-herb of past memory.
Nothing is sweet to thinking, nothing from life free.