Classic Poem

Mr. Southwind came a-soughing
Gently through the stark-limbed trees —
Came so far he seemed a-puffing,
Slightly shaky in his knees;

But a pleasant message carried
From the land where he was born,
To the fields by winter harried,
In the Northland all forlorn.

" All your friends the birds send greeting
From the Southland, " whispered he.
" Looking forward to the meeting
That will very shortly be.

" And the hosts of fragrant flowers
Send their kindest love, and say
They are counting up the hours
Till the glad home-coming day. "

And it seemed the cold, gray meadows,
And the sleeping stark-limbed trees,
Brightened mid the wintry shadows
At the Southwind's messages.