When Leaves Begin

When leaves begin to show their heads,

Before they reach their curly youth;

And birds in streams are coming north,

With seas of music from the south;

Then- like a snail with horns outstretched-

My senses feel the air around;

There’s not a move escapes my eyes,

My ears are cocked to every sound.

Till Nature to her greenest comes,

And- with her may that blossoms white-

Bursts her full bodice, and reveals

Her fair white body in the light.