Poems (Scudder)/Azaleas
AZALEAS
You take the trim lawn's centre, So confident each one, And spread with sleek complacency Your satins in the sun.
Your amethysts and crimsons To palest coral shade While fawn and vivid orange To cream or amber fade.
But though you look so haughty And never try to speak, Alack, a tiny freckle That spots each glossy cheek
Betrays you as the dusk is Betrayed by one wee star—And you are of more hardy growth Than lady-flowers are.
I know you, brilliant wantons That from the forest came To flaunt it in our gardens And put the rose to shame.