Surrender

Pale was the early day, Fog--white the winter air, When up a hill--side bare, Roughened with rimy grass, I took my thoughtless way. As my feet strayed uphill I felt the blank cloud float Past, and bedew my coat. At unawares I found A gate, and there stood still. And on a sudden behold, Above, the virgin blue, Blue, bathing my heart through! A shock of blueness bright Pierced with an eye of gold. And there uprising tall From mist to warm sapphire, Straight up like windless fire, A poplar stood alone, White, dream--fresh, virginal. Rime robed her, pure as snow. O white was never white As this which thrilled my sight. I stood still in the mist, Dazzled, entranced, aglow. For in a dazzling drift The rime rained down, it gleamed, It shivered soft, it streamed, Radiant as tears of joy When the heart gives all its gift. Alone in the still, still air To the divine lone height Of blue this poplar white Like virgin ecstasy Stript all her beauty bare.