Poetry
Green Branches
T. boys and girls come back from the woods in the gloaming, Carrying branches like banners and buds unfolding ; All that is ripe for plucking and sweeter for holding— With wild, light feet and wondering eyes they come homing.
This tall maid carries a flower and that a token, And one had a kiss in the dark of the homeward turning ; And the youngest walks apart with a child's heart burning At thought of a tale untold and a word unspoken.
Bridals ! Bridals ! Now gather green myrtle and after Bring all the woodland about them, bending and swaying, Over their troth-plight vows and the old priest's praying Ere they break to the meadows with dances and laughter.
Adorn their bed with roses and fresh flowers' strowing That their young espousals, their loving—desiring- Their spring-time mating and passion renew untiring Bud and blossom and fruit, new-springing, new-growing . .
Until their children return in troops in the gloaming Bearing their summer's green and fresh buds unfolding— Young mouths reddened with kisses and shy hands holding The wild, young loves to the patient lovers come homing.
ISOBEL HUME.
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