Winter

A diamond glow of winter o'er the world:

Amid the chilly halo nigh the west

Flickers a phantom violet bloom unfurled

Dim on the twilight's breast.

Only phantasmal blooms but for an hour,

A transient beauty; then the white stars shine

Chilling the heart: I long for thee to flower,

O bud of light divine.

But never visible to sense or thought

The flower of Beauty blooms afar withdrawn

If in our being then we know it not,

Or, knowing, it is gone.