University of Virginia Library

SEASIDE FLOWERS

Along the brim of the curving cove the small blue skull cap sits,
Where the grey beach bird, with happy cry, in safety feeds and flits,
And spreads or shuts the pimpernel its drowsy buds to tell
When rain will come, or skies will clear, the pretty pimpernel!
And the pink herbrobert all the day holds up its rosy flowers,
While high above with a purple plume the lofty thistle towers,
And the golden potentilla blows, and the crow foot laughs in the sun,
And over rock and bush and turf wild morning glories run.
They look down o'er the tiny cove, out to the blue, blue sea,
Neighbors and friends, all beautiful, a joyful company;
And when the tide comes brimming in with soft and gentle rush
It is as if the murmuring sound said to the silence, “Hush!”
All down the narrow beach the lilac mussel shells are strown
Among the scattered pebbles, and by the polished stone
Where the sea's hands have worn the ledge till smooth as ivory—
O such a place on summer days to put your cheek, and lie
Listening to all the whispering waves that round the point go by!
For the sun has warmed the hard cold rock till it almost human seems,
And such a pillow as it makes for childhood's blissful dreams!
The little glad, caressing waves! They bring their treasures gay
To deck the lovely quiet beach, nor fail day after day
To strew the slope with crimson dulse and olive seaweed sprays,
And lace-like empty urchin shells, all rough with dull green rays,
The limpet's hollow, mottled house, and amber snail shells bright,
And brown and shining ruffled kelps and cockles, snowy white.
O such a happy, happy world! Were I to talk all day,
Not half the joy of that sweet spot could I begin to say!
And all the charming band of flowers that watch the sea and sky,
They seem to know and love the winds that gently pass them by:
They seem to feel the freshness of the waves at every tide
As they cross the quiet water that sparkles far and wide.
The bright sails go and come at will, the white gulls float in air,
The song sparrow and sandpiper are flitting everywhere,
But the dark blue skull cap never sighs to leave its pleasant home,
With butterfly, or thistle-down, or sandpiper to roam,
The pink herbrobert nestles close, content in sun or rain,
Nor envies the white far sails that glide across the ocean plain;
The golden potentilla sees the soaring gull on high
Yet never does she wish for wings to join him in the sky,
For all these wise and lovely lives accord with God's intent,
Each takes its lot and bears its bloom as kindly nature meant.
Whatever weather fortune sends, they greet it patiently,
Each only striving its own way a perfect thing to be.
O tell me, little children, have you on summer days
Heard what the winds are whispering and what the water says?
The small birds' chirp, the cry of gulls, the crickets' quiet creak:—
And have you seen the charming things that have no power to speak,
The dear, sweet humble little flowers that all so silently
Teach such a lovely lesson every day, to you and me?
Go seek them, if you know them not, when summer comes once more
You'll find a pleasure in them you never knew before!