From Heaven Fall Flowers

"For spring, at last here."

Look here my friend!  A flower falls

Into my lap from wooded halls!

The creamy dew from Heaven's bough;

How can this be?--this fortune--how?

Pearly petals drink enamel'd gold,

Swathed in green-glowing emerald!

One whiff sweet from auric spore

And one forgets all woes before!

Bless me!--this flow'r--this painted jewel,

Grown from Earth's blood for thankless fool!

How can I, this beau-ty, partake?

Such things are made for no one's sake!

How can I, this won-der, divine?

This beauty old, selfless, benign?

And t'were it in my fleeting pow'r,

To fathom this immortal flow'r,

Blushing Gaea would kiss my lips!

Make flow'rs dance at my fingertips!

Author's Note

The painting is by Monet, of course.