[I hear laughter]

I hear laughter where late was lamenting

How short the span that separates

Tears from trembling joy.

   —

The river that should have flowed

Stood still.  A dog’s bark

Crackerjacked across the fields.

   —

This is the time of day

When the fingers of darkness

Come down among the trees

From the hand that is the sky

   —

Where the river has deeps and shallows

Is the eye best pleased.

Where the meadow rolls and dips

Is the heart most warmed.