54811: The Mill-Pond

<p dir="ltr"> The sun blazed while the thunder yet<br> Added a boom:<br> A wagtail flickered bright over<br> The mill-pond's gloom:<br> Less than the cooing in the alder<br> Isles of the pool<br> Sounded the thunder through that plunge<br> Of waters cool.<br> Scared starlings on the aspen tip<br> Past the black mill.<br> Outchattered the stream and the next roar<br> Far on the hill.<br> As my feet dangling teased the foam<br> That slid below<br> A girl came out. 'Take care!' she said---<br> Ages ago.<br> She startled me, standing quite close<br> Dressed all in white:<br> Ages ago I was angry till<br> She passed from sight.<br> Then the storm burst, and as I crouched<br> To shelter, how<br> Beautiful and kind, too, she seemed,<br> As she does now!<br></p>