Musing In March ~ 'Green Rain'

"Into the scented woods we'll go 

And see the blackthorn swim in snow.

High above in the budding leaves, 

A brooding dove awakes and grieves;

The glades with mingled music stir,

And wildly laughs the woodpecker.

When blackthorn petals pearl the breeze

There are the twisted hawthorn trees

Thick-set with buds, as clear and pale

As golden water or green hail-

As if a storm of rain had stood

Enchanted in the thorny wood, 

And, hearing fairy voices call,

Hung poised, forgetting how to fall."

Poem by Mary Webb, 1881 - 1927.

Illustration - 'The Blackthorn Fairy' by Cicely Mary Barker, 1885- 1973.

I came across this poem only this last week and wondered why I had never discovered it before.