A winter lyric

The winter winds were swift and stinging,

The day was growing old and dark;

And yet within the icy park

Birds in the leafless trees were singing.

Somehow the cold was not so clinging,

And homing people stopped to stare

At all the brave hearts clustered there—

Birds in the leafless trees! And singing!

Yes, Spring is sweet with new songs ringing,

And Summer's pageant moves all men;

But my heart leaps to Winter when

Birds in the leafless trees are singing.