Spring pools in a forest mirror almost the whole sky, while the flowers beside them shiver in the cold. Both are brief: these pools will not drain into a brook or river, but will be drawn upward by tree roots to fuel dark summer foliage. The speaker then addresses the trees—whose buds hold the power to turn the landscape into full summer shade—and warns them to think twice before they blot out, drink up, and sweep away these “flowery waters” and “watery flowers” left by snow that melted only yesterday. The voice is protective and a little sad, moved by something delicate that must vanish for larger growth to happen. The mood is hushed, watchful, and faintly admonishing, as if holding back the inevitable.
Spring Pools — Summary
These pools that, though in forests, still reflect The total sky almost without defect, And like the flowers beside them, chill and shiver, Will like the flowers beside them soon be gone, And yet not out by any brook or river, But up by roots to bring dark foliage on.
The trees that have it in their pent-up buds To darken nature and be summer woods-- Let them think twice before they use their powers To blot out and drink up and sweep away These flowery waters and these watery flowers From snow that melted only yesterday.