April

O April, month of Nymphs and Fauns and Cupids,

Month of the Sungod's kisses, Earth's sweet passion,

Of fanciful winds and showers;

Apollo, glorious over hill and dale

Ethereally striding; grasses springing

Rapt to his feet, buds bursting, flowers out-breathing

Their liberated hearts in love to him.

(The little black-cap garrulous on the willow

Perching so prim, the crested chaffinch warbling,

And primrose and celandine, anemone and daisy,

Starring the tender herb which lambs already nibble.)

Month of all-gathering warmth,

Of breathless moments, hotter and hotter growing --

Smiles turned to fire, kisses to fierce earnest --

Of sultry swoons, pauses, and strange suspense

(Clouds and daemonic thunder through the blue vault threateningly rolling);

Then the delirious up-break -- the great fountains of the deep, in Sex,

Loosened to pouring failing rushing waters;

Shafts of wild light; and Sky and Earth in one another's arms

Melted, and all of Heaven spent in streams of love

Towards the Loved one.