April + 

The sweetest thing, I thought + 

At one time, between earth and heaven + 

Was the first smile + 

When mist has been forgiven + 

And the sun has stolen out, + 

Peered, and resolved to shine at seven + 

On dabbled lengthening grasses, + 

Thick primroses and early leaves uneven, + 

When earth’s breath, warm and humid, far surpasses + 

The richest oven’s, and loudly rings “cuckoo” + 

And sharply the nightingale’s “tsoo, tsoo, tsoo, tsoo”: + 

To say “God bless it” was all that I could do. + 

But now I know one sweeter + 

By far since the day Emily + 

Turned weeping back + 

To me, still happy me, + 

To ask forgiveness⁠— + 

Yet smiled with half a certainty + 

To be forgiven⁠—for what + 

She had never done; I knew not what it might be, + 

Nor could she tell me, having now forgot, + 

By rapture carried with me past all care + 

As to an isle in April lovelier + 

Than April’s self. “God bless you” I said to her. + 