Lost Youth

An hour ago, and Eden close

Was like a phantom built in air;

So windless that there fell no rose

And no ripe pear.

And where I walked, the wide grass-blade

Held drops of dew that did not fall;

There was no sunshine and no shade,

But thin light on all.

I held the apple in my hand-

I could not eat for very wonder.

Bertha Ten Eyck Fames

Sunshine swept across the land

With wind and thunder.

But when I bit the apple, rain

Hung in the air, and not a breath

Stirred the blanched leaves to dance again-

And I saw Death!

Bertha Ten Eyck Fames