Poems (Griffith)/Impromptu
For works with similar titles, see Impromptu.
Impromptu.
ON RECEIVING A MAGNOLIA FLOWER FROM THE BEAUTIFUL SALLIE W.
ILOVE to look on thee, oh glorious flower,The brightest nursling of the beam and shower;The soft, rich perfumes round thy fairy heartTo soul and sense an ecstasy impart;And thy young leaves of snowy whiteness gleamWith the strange beauty of a wild sweet dream.
There is a magic in thy leaves, bright flower,That thrills me with its deep and mystic power, And o'er the calm thoughts slumbering in my soul, Steals with a soft and beautiful control, The glowing visions of my life to bless With a deep spell of joy and loveliness.
Oh bright magnolia, thou hast ever stood The queen of all the floral sisterhood, And she, thy giver, in her pride of place, Is crowned the queen of beauty, love, and grace; Ay, what thou art within the garden-bowers Is she, thy giver, among human flowers.
Yet she is far more beautiful than thou, Thy leaves are not so white as her white brow; 'Twere vain within thy perfumed depths to seek Such tints as live upon her heavenly cheek; And the dear witcheries of her blue eye glow More lovely than thy cup of spotless snow.
In thy sweet incense-breath, there is no spell Like those that round her presence ever dwell; Thy gentle beauty is a thing to keep For ever in the spirit pure and deep; But she is God's own loveliest blossom, given To tell us of the garden-bowers of Heaven.
Oh, thou and she were both sent here to bless The earth with beauty, light, and loveliness; And it was well thy petals should expand, Beneath the influence of her fostering hand, For now thy leaves dear thoughts of her awake, And thou art lovelier for her lovely sake.
I look on thee, and blessed thoughts of her Within the depths of my sad spirit stir; I've gazed on her as now I gaze on thee, Till my full soul gushed o'er with ecstasy, And her wild beauty has become a part For ever of my burning brain and heart.
Ah, dearest blossom, as with sorrowing eye I watch thee fade, and feel thou soon must die, I weep for thee, but still 'tis joy to know That her pure soul will keep its heavenly glow, Passing at length to yon blue sky afar, The brightest flower, changed to the brightest star.