Erotica/Spring

by Arthur Clark Kennedy

Spring

Unchain your heart, cast off the bandsImposed by social customs' care,By laws of man. Be free as air—Shake off those so-called friendly hands

That hold you back from followingThe dictates Nature planted there,List to her voice within your ear!"Awake and love, it is the Spring."

My Love, awake. It is the Spring!Let all the envious world roll by,Above us bends the bright blue skyWhere mounts the lark on fluttering wing

The distant cooing of the dove,The blackbird, linnet, finch and thrush,In madrigals from every bushAnd varied accents, say "We love."

'Tis good to live, 'tis good to love—God's greatest gift, so freely given,To man below, foretaste of heavenHas come to us, let us then prove

Its golden value in the scales'Gainst earthly gold. The merest drossAnd tinsel seems earth's gold. The lossOf all the world holds dear avails

Nothing against such perfect wealthAs we in Love's own land to-dayGather with both hands. Let us prayThat Love walk hand in hand with Health.

Health is for Love a fitting mate,And on such guardian's rainbow wingsWe well may pass Earth's fiery ringsAnd smile contempt on sordid Fate.