Poems (Larcom)/Rock and Rill
ROCK AND RILL.
"INTO the sunshine out of shade!" The rill has heard the call, And, babbling low, her answer made,— A laugh, 'twixt slip and fall.
Out from her cradle-roof of trees, Over the free, rough ground! The peaceful blue above she sees; The cheerful green around.
A pleasant world for running streams To steal unnoticed through, At play with all the sweet sky-gleams, And nothing: else to do!
A rock has stopped the silent rill, And taught her how to speak: He hinders her; she chides him still; He loves her lispings meek.
And still he will not let her go: But she may chide and sing, And o'er him liquid freshness throw, Amid her murmuring.
The harebell sees herself no more In waters clear at play; Yet never she such azure wore, Till wept on by the spray.
And many a woodland violet Stays charmed upon the bank; Her thoughtful blue eye brimming wet, The rock and rill to thank.
The rill is blessing in her talk What half she held a wrong,—The happy trouble of the rock That makes her life a song.