Guests

Photo: Vera B.

Sunflower tall and hollyhock, that wave in the wind together,

Corn-flower, poppy, and marigold, blossoming fair and fine,

Delicate sweet-peas, glowing bright in the quiet autumn weather,

While over the fence, on fire with bloom, climbs the nasturtium vine!

Quaint little wilderness of flowers, straggling hither and thither -

morning-glories tangled about the larkspur gone to seed,

Scarlet runners that burst all bounds, and wander, heaven knows whither,

And lilac spikes of bergamot, as thick as any weed.

And oh, the bees and the butterflies, the humming-birds and sparrows,

That over the garden waver and chirp and flutter the livelong day!

Humming-birds, that dart in the sun like green and golden arrows,

Butterflies like loosened flowers blown off by the wind in play.

Look at the red nasturtium flower, drooping, bending, and swaying;

Out the gold-banded humble-bee breaks and goes booming anew!

Hark, what the sweet-voiced fledgling sparrows low to themselves are saying,

Pecking my golden oats where the corn-flowers gleam so blue!

Welcome, a thousand times welcome, ye dear and delicate neighbors -

Bird and bee and butterfly, and humming-bird fairy fine!

Proud am I to offer you a field for your graceful labors;

All the honey and all the seeds are yours in this garden of mine.

I sit on the door-step and watch you. Beyond lies the infinite ocean,

Sparkling, shimmering, whispering, rocking itself to rest;

And the world is full of perfume and color and beautiful motion,

And each new hour of this sweet day the happiest seems and best.

-- Celia Thaxter