Apple-Blossoms

Cold Care and I have run a race, And I, fleet-foot, have won A little space, a little hour, To find the May alone. I sit beneath the apple-tree, I see nor sky nor sun; I only know the apple-buds Are opening one by one. You asked me once a little thing,-- A lecture or a song To hear with you; and yet I thought To find my whole life long Too short to bear the happiness That bounded through the day, That made the look of apple-blooms, And you, and me, and May! For long between us there had hung The mist of love's young doubt; Sweet, shy, uncertain, all the world Of trust and May burst out. I wore the flowers in my hair, Their color on my dress; Dear Love! whenever apples bloom In Heaven, do they bless Your heart with memories so small, So strong, so cruel-glad? If ever apples bloom in Heaven, I wonder are you sad? Heart! yield thee up thy fruitless quest Beneath the apple-tree; Youth comes but once, love only once, And May but once to thee!