Poems (Kennedy)/May Day
MAY-DAY
1.
(As poets see it.)
FAR reaches of blue sky that seem A sea without a curbing shoreOr billow's dip; a white cloud-ship That sails and sails forevermore To the port of a golden dream.A world that holds nor pain nor care;Blossoms and sunshine everywhere. Children in happy cavalcade,Laughter and song, not a breath too long, And a queen in her beauty arrayed.
II.
(As it really is.)
Gray clouds that form a soggy mass That drips and ne'er is dry;No voice that sings, but a wind that stings, A tired and shivering company Wishing the hours would pass. All hope of "clearing up" long spent,A brave pretense at merriment To hide the crowding woes;Salt by mistake, ants in the cake, And a queen who blows her nose.