Youth and Youthful Dreams

In a clearing near a dark inviting wood

Strawberries grew like rubies in the grass,

Red stains upon our knees, red juices ran

From the corners of our mouths; our tongues turned red,

Our fingers bled with stains of happiness.

So through the years we followed Nature's gold,

Blueberries like agates shone in light-starved swamps,

Down the country lane and up the hill

The apples reddened in the sunset glow.

Hickory nuts along the roadside fell

While mushrooms sprouted in damp autumn days.

All giving things of earth recall to me

Delight of seasons to my growing soul.

All my youth and all my youthful dreams

Found common things entirely divine.