Sleet

<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN> <h2><SPAN name="THE_SLEET" id="THE_SLEET" />THE SLEET</h2> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> <span>Regal the earth seems with diamonds today,<br/></span> <span>Gemming all nature in blazing array;<br/></span> <span>A picture more fairy-like never could be<br/></span> <span>Than this wonderful icicle filigree.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span>A crystallized world! What a marvelous sight,<br/></span> <span>Gorgeous and grand in the March sunlight!<br/></span> <span>The frost-king magician has changed the spring showers<br/></span> <span>To turquois and topaz and sapphire bowers.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span>And what is the lesson we learn from the sleet,<br/></span> <span>As toiling life's road with wearying feet,<br/></span> <span>Upward we strive, but failing so oft<br/></span> <span>In the struggles that bear us aright and aloft?<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span>'Tis this&mdash;that the hard breath of winter's chill blast<br/></span> <span>Alone can this mantle of loveliness cast;<br/></span> <span>And thus our sharp winds of trial may prove<br/></span> <span>Angels to weave us bright garments of love.<br/></span></div> </div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />