Woman of the Seasons

I.

In spring the blossoms were fair to see,
But not as fair as thee to me,
The sunshine hair, the seafoam eyes,
The mouth like a rose at each sweet surprise
Blossoming!
Is it a wonder that love had taken wing
In me before the end of that spring?

But never, no never, can we be together.
In spring's love of fairest weather,
Thou a woman, I a woman, and I
Exiled by my heart to dwell in sighs.

II.

In summer the breeze was in the boughs,
But it was thou who made my heart bow,
The fairness in thy hands and face,
The mind and body full of grace
That enchants!
Is it any wonder that in summer's dance
I was impelled to seek romance?

But never, no never, can we together come.
Fear kept my mind and mouth both dumb,
Thou a woman, I a woman, and thee
Far too fair for the likes of me.

III.

In autumn the leaves were falling swift,
But the many colors are thine own gift,
The colors of the leaves are dying, dead,
But the thoughts thou hast within thine head
Shine and flash!
Is it any wonder that I marveled at their dash,
And preferred their flight to fall's cold lash?

But never, no never, can we be together,
For I cannot know, cannot guess whether,
Thou a woman, I a woman, and I,
Could find the courage to like leaves fly.

IV.

In winter the snow was falling in pure white,
But it was thy face that filled my heart with light:
The skin paler and smoother than any fall of snow,
The tongue soft-skipping, the eyes aglow
With brilliance!
Is it any wonder I thought the snow's magnficence
A thing that paled to the touch of thy radiance?

But never, no never, can we together come,
For my heart is resigned to being numb,
Thou a woman, I a woman, and thee
Forced to be held as friend in memory.

V.

Spring again, and the blossoms are so fair!
Thee camest like a breath of shy spring air
Blown forth in winter, thy seafoam eyes
And heart rich with a terrible sweet surprise,
For I love!
Thou hast assumed, so many things I was shy of,
That I could not hold for thee passion of the dove.

And yes, oh yes, the time has come at last,
For I have thee and my heart thou hast,
Thou a woman, I a woman, and we
Free to live and love; at the last, free!