A December Day

Blue, blue is the sea to-day,                 Warmly the light          Sleeps on St. Andrews Bay--                 Blue, fringed with white.          That's no December sky!                 Surely 'tis June          Holds now her state on high,                 Queen of the noon.          Only the tree-tops bare                 Crowning the hill,          Clear-cut in perfect air,                 Warn us that still          Winter, the aged chief,                 Mighty in power,          Exiles the tender leaf,                 Exiles the flower.          Is there a heart to-day,                 A heart that grieves          For flowers that fade away,                 For fallen leaves?          Oh, not in leaves or flowers                 Endures the charm          That clothes those naked towers                 With love-light warm.          O dear St. Andrews Bay,                 Winter or Spring          Gives not nor takes away                 Memories that cling          All round thy girdling reefs,                 That walk thy shore,          Memories of joys and griefs                 Ours evermore.