The Little Spring Flows Clear Again

The little spring flows clear again
    While I stand watching close to see
What clouded it. If wings were here
    To splash the silver merrily
They flew before I came too near.

And if a fawn had rubbed its nose,
    Thrust deep in silver running cool,
Upon the bottom of the spring,
    It heard me wading in the pool
Of shadow where the thrushes sing.

The little spring flows clear again,
    But now is clouded in my mind
The flight of wings that went away--
    And something that I came to find
Was loveliness afraid to stay.

     ~ Glenn Ward Dresbach

Barter

Life has loveliness to sell,
    All beautiful and splendid things,
Blue waves whitened on a cliff,
    Soaring fire that sways and sings
And children's faces looking up
Holding wonder like a cup.

Life has loveliness to sell,
    Music like a curve of gold,
Scent of pine trees in the rain,
    Eyes that love you, arms that hold,
And for your spirit's still delight,
Holy thoughts that star the night.

Spend all you have for loveliness,
    Buy it and never count the cost;
For one white singing hour of peace
    Count many a year of strife well lost,
And for a breath of ecstasy
Give all you have been, or could be.

                    ~ Sara Teasdale