European Elegies/Winter/A churchyard-flower
Appearance
53.A CHURCHYARD-FLOWER
The winter, with its wilting will,Brings blossom-birth to bareness;Sometimes its frosts, unpitying, killThe flower's unfolding fairness;
And, as the living gems rejoiceIn fragrant gratulation,Sudden breaks in the blighting voiceOf icy death's afflation.
With spring, rare buds will re-appear,And earth renew her dower:But, ah, I weep for you, my dear,My pale, young churchyard-flower!
From the Frisian of Pieter Jelles Troelstra.