Cut Flowers

Not in blue vases these Nor white, cut flowers are seen But in the August meadows When the reaper falls clean — And the shining and ridged rows Of cut stalks show to the eye As if some child's hand there Had ranged them, and passed by To other rows, other swathes, Moondaisies, pimpernel, Eyebright, sorrel, the paths Are shining, the heaps as well. Violets in spring, are In vases, a sweet heap Better leave them by far Under hedgerows or banks to keep. Daffodills, wallflowers, Daisies Of Michaelmas Time let still Also, no gathering-crazes Should spoil the sweet Spring-time's will Daisies best left alone, Chrysanthemums of chill Evenings of Autumn, gone Soon to cold Winters will. At the full garden-folk Leave in their beds, but if Under the steely yoke They must be gathered, With Cruelty of no need. Then lay them in wide pans, Or open jars; agreed Best pottery that is man's, Wall-flowers, violets Sweetest of flowers bring in To the four walls, the china-sets And table clean as a pin. By books and pictures lay These wild things cruelly tamed Taken from the blowing day Exiled, uprooted, hurt, lamed. That the hedgerows miss and the copse — O if flowers must be cut To spoil an earth-plot's hopes. Take them with eyes shut. Or give a small coin or two To Children who may not care So much as grown-ups should do — Cut flowers in vases rare — Pottery rounded with these (Best of all) or with no care Ranged in may-hap degrees In wide pot or any jar — Gather them, pluck not, please. I B Gurney Stone House Dartford Kent Appealing for Chance of Death Pain of Life worse than Death