Mid-Winter Waking
Morten Lauridsen, Robert Graves
Stirring suddenly from long hibernation
I knew myself once more a poet
Guarded by timeless prinicipalities
Against the worm of death, this hillside haunting;
And presently dared open both my eyes
O gracious, lofty, shone against from under
Back-of-the-mind-far clouds like towers;
And you, sudden warm airs that blow
Before the expected season of new blossom
While sheep still gnaw at roots and lambless go--
Be witness that on waking, this mid-winter
I foudn her hand in mine laid closely
Who hsall watch out the Spring with me
We stared in silence all around us
But found no winter anywhere to see