Clouds

Where are the clouds that over-cast the sky

But yesterday? The sun now burns and glows

In cloudless azure space, the smoke ascends

In straight, unbroken lines, a thousand birds

Carol a warbling welcome to the spring.

And yet for me chill winter still holds sway;

The clouds that lately wrapped the earth in gloom

Have settled on my heart and bear it down

With crushing weight of woe; while songs of birds

Are lost in shrieks and moans of icy blasts;

And thicker round me gathers, black and chill,

Darkness of grim despair.

Eva Mary McCune

The Kiote May 1900