Poems (Jones)/April Days

by Amanda Theodosia Jones

For works with similar titles, see April Days.

APRIL DAYS.

OME through mist and dashing rain,
   April days, April days;
Break the last light crystal chain,
 Teach the snowbird livelier lays,
Deck with verdure wood and plain,
   April days, April days.

Years are long—the years are three,
   April days, April days,
Since my love went forth from me;
 Craving neither gold nor praise,
But free scope for valor free,
   April days, April days.

Sun-bright flags for marshaled men,
   April days, April days,
Flung ye out o'er hill and glen;
 All your winds sang battle-lays;
Southward soared your eagles then,
   April days, April days.

Flaunt your sun-bright flags once more,
   April days, April days;
For the ship is near the shore,
 And he comes whom all must praise:
Northward doth my eagle soar,
   April days, April days.

Gayly shine, oh, brightly shine,
   April days, April days!
Wounded in the vanward line,
 Victor of a hundred frays,
Welcome home this love of mine,
   April days, April days!