Dare.

Wyeth, Frostbitten, 1962

Courage

Today I opened wide my eyes,

And stared with wonder and surprise,

To see beneath November skies

An apple blossom peer;

Upon a branch as bleak as night

It gleamed exultant on my sight,

A fairy beacon burning bright Of hope and cheer.

  "Alas!" said I, "poor foolish thing,

Have you mistaken this for Spring?

Behold, the thrush has taken wing,

And Winter's near."

Serene it seemed to lift its head:

"The Winter's wrath I do not dread,

Because I am," it proudly said,

"A Pioneer."

Some apple blossom must be first,

With beauty's urgency to burst

Into a world for joy athirst,

And so I dare;

And I shall see what none shall see –

December skies gloom over me,

And mock them with my April glee,

And fearless fare.

"And I shall hear what none shall hear –

The hardy robin piping clear,

The Storm King gallop dark and drear

Across the sky;

And I shall know what none shall know –

The silent kisses of the snow,

The Christmas candles' silver glow,

Before I die.

  "Then from your frost-gemmed window pane

One morning you will look in vain,

My smile of delicate disdain

No more to see;

But though I pass before my time,

And perish in the grale and grime,

Maybe you'll have a little rhyme

To spare for me."

Robert Service