Laughing Rose
IF I were
gusty April now,
How I
would blow at laughing Rose;
I'd make her
ribbons slip their knots,
And all her hair come loose.
If I were
merry April now,
How I would pelt her cheeks with showers;
I'd make carnations,
rich and warm,
Of her vermillion flowers.
Since she
will laugh in April's face
No matter how he rains or blows --
Then
O that I wild April were,
To play with
laughing Rose .
W.H. Davies (1871-1940)
From what I read about the Welsh poet, author, and self described supertramp, some of William Henery Davies' poems are difficult to date. This one was published in a book simply titled Collected Poems in 1916.
Inexplicably popular during the early 1900's he was one to rewrite poems many times over. I find his poetry surprisingly modernistic and full of quirky imagery.
Public domain text taken from The Poets’ Corner:
http://www.theotherpages.org/poems/davies01.html#15
CST Approved