Classic Poem

When I look out of my window I
See beauty everywhere,
Smoke from my neighbor's chimney in
The fine blue air,
Windy boughs of elm trees,
Cedars that never stir,
Two, close to a frozen pool,
And crouching juniper.

Just beyond my window
A tall old lilac stands
With seeds of last year's blossoms
She holds like ghostly hands
Clinging to this year's promise.
They never go away
'Till plumes of purple and ivory
Perfume the air in May.

When I look out of my window
In Winter, I can see
Roofs that the green of Summer
Will hide away from me.
There are lines of snow on the mountains,
The hills are far and blue —
If you live long by the mountains
They call to and answer you!

When I look out of my window
I see where the long road lies.
It goes from city to city,
An old road and wise.
It has lived so long by the river,
And known so many men,
It says the same thing over
And over again:

The road says —
You who sit by the window,
And you who follow me,
If simple beauty can make you glad
Happy and blest are ye.