The Faerie Years

Art by Cicely Mary Barker

A Lilac Garden bright with snow

where Evergreens and Lilies grow

All pink and white with blossoms sweet

A trysting-place where fairies meet

In Springtime days and summer noons

A lovely scent of rich perfumes

And beds of cloves like little gems

Dancing sweet with Pixie friends

The Light a ‘shines through cherry trees

Singing leaves like symphonies

Humming birds in every nook

Mermaids bathe in laughing brooks

So blue and still the summer skies

Dotted cream with butterflies

And wayside flower’s rainbow gowns

Bejeweling summer’s youthful crown

Sheen of lace in spider’s web

Amber pales and summer sets

Tanning quick what used to be fair

Pouring thick like river’s hair

Days of June are growing old

August fades and Autumn’s bold

Audacious wind robs the warmth

And kisses the garden with lips of cold

Dawn’s Light springs on darkness’ fear

By secrets kept it solemnly swears

To ferry hope to safer ports

Where rests are long and nights are short

Under a’ many different skies

With childhood a’ light in my eyes

The spirit of that dear old place

Still holds such beauty

And gives such grace