Classic Poem

Almond, wild almond,
Give counsel to me,
And hush thy fierce lover
The wind in the tree!

Along the night pasture
I've come through the dew
To tell thee, wild almond.
The old songs are true!

Like the flower on thy branches
The heart in me springs
With airs and upliftings
And hundreds of wings!

I, too, have a lover ...
Keep, keep it from them —
The wise ones that eye me —
Thou whispering stem!

I deal with him coldly —
I dash him with pride:
Yet he comes of evenings,
And stands at my side.

O had he entreated.
I could have said nay,
But he, he says nothing,
And then goes away!

Ah, loves he for ever? ...
And loves me alone? ...
These things that men say not
How can they be known?

He may, but he may not —
And I would be free: —
Now play not, now sway not,
Thou little black tree,
Almond, wild almond,
Give counsel to me!