Poems (Holley)/What Makes the Summer?

by Marietta Holley

 

WHAT MAKES THE SUMMER?

It is not the lark's clear toneCleaving the morning air with a soaring cry,Nor the nightingale's dulcet melody all the balmy night—Not these aloneMake the sweet sounds of summer;But the drone of beetle and bee, the murmurous hum of the flyAnd the chirp of the cricket hidden out of sight—These help to make the summer.

Not roses redly blown,Nor golden lilies, lighting the dusky meads,Nor proud imperial pansies, nor queen-cups quaint and rare—Not these alone Make the sweet sights of summer;But the countless forest leaves, the myriad wayside weedsAnd slender grasses, springing up everywhere—These help to make the summer.

One heaven bends above;The lowliest head ofttimes hath sweetest rest;O'er song-bird in the pine, and bee in the ivy low,Is the same love, it is all God's summerWell pleased is He if we patiently do our best,So hum little bee, and low green grasses grow,You help to make the summer.