Second Spring

We have no passions left to love the spring
Who had suffered autumn as we did, alone
Walking through dominions of a browning laughter
Carrying our loneliness our loving and our grief.

How can we know another spring.
For there will come no flower where was fruit before
Now we have little use for spring’s relentless seeking
Who walked the long, unquestioned path
Straight into autumn’s arms
Who saw the summer passions wither
Into a leaf to hide our naked tears.

Earth is still sweet, for autumn teaches bearing
And new sun will warm our proud and cautious feet
But spring came once
And we have seen the road that led through summer
Beautiful and bright as clover on a hill
Become a vast appalling wilderness and rain
While we stood still, racked on the autumn’s knowing
Binding cold love to us with the corners of her shroud.