The Mill-Pond

THE sun blazed while the thunder yet Added a boom: A wagtail flickered bright over The mill-pond's gloom:

Less than the cooing in the alder Isles of the pool Sounded the thunder through that plunge Of waters cool.

Scared starlings on the aspen tip Past the black mill Outchattered the stream and the next roar Far on the hill.

As my feet dangling teased the foam That slid below A girl came out. "Take care!" she said-- Ages ago.

She startled me, standing quite close Dressed all in white: Ages ago I was angry till She passed from sight.

Then the storm burst, and as I crouched To shelter, how Beautiful and kind, too, she seemed, As she does now!