Dawn: A Poem

I love the earth before the dawn
When sleeping things awake,
When pearly breezes kiss the grass
And birds their lovesongs make.

Before the day has yet awoke –
Those fleeting moments, oh! How few!
Before the golden dawn has broke
And turned the hoary frost to dew,

Then a shimmering spell is cast
And all the world in slumber dreams.
There isn’t heard nor breath nor sigh
|And the moon on mirror waters gleams.

The softest stirring in the trees –
A rosy blush where sky meets earth,
A hidden joy, a waking love,
A welling forth of mirth.

For then! The light of glorious sun!
The east in flaming glory stands
And paints each hill and rock and vale
As if by touch of tender hands.

And at the first light of the dawn
The silver world is bathed in light
Of amber sun and sapphire sky
And all forget the night.