[Poems by Jackson in] Pansies and orchids designs of pansies, snow-drops, heather, and wild rose : orchids : nasturtiums : geraniums |
 |
 | [Poems by Jackson in] Pansies and orchids |  |
The Orchid
No mortal blossom this, which feeds on airTranscending in its lowliest estate,
All laws which other flowers obey await;
All tints of jewels, lines of gravers rare,
All hues of plumage lavished on its wear.
At home in palaces of rich and great,
In unknown peasants' meadows never late;
What is the spell this wondrous life doth bear?
Is it a prisoned soul that helpless, mute,
For some wrong died which bore a bitter fruit
Doth thus its seal of expiation win?
I think such royal prison house had been
Reward, not punishment. Fate! Hear my suit!
Give me a thousand years for every sin!
H. H.
MY NASTURTIUMS.
Quaint blossom with the old fantastic name,By jester christened at some ancient feast!
How royally to-day among the least
Considered herbs, it flings its spice and flame
How careless wears a velvet of the same
Unfathomed red, which ceased when Titian ceased
To paint it in the robes of doge and priest.
Oh long lost, loyal red which never came
Again to painter's palette—on my sight
It flashes at this moment, trained and poured
Through my nasturtiums in the morning light,
Like great-souled kings to kingdoms full restored,
They stand alone and draw them to their height,
And shower me from their stintless golden hoard.
H. H.
| [Poems by Jackson in] Pansies and orchids | |