Winter - Caprice

It was a winter such as when birds die

In the deep forests; and the fishes lie

Stiffened in the translucent ice  which makes

Even the mud and slime of the warm lakes

A wrinkled clod as hard as brick; and when

Among their children  comfortable men

Gather about great fires  and yet feel cold:

Alas then for the homeless beggar old

It was a winter such as when birds die

In the deep forests; and the fishes lie

Stiffened in the translucent ice  which makes

Even the mud and slime of the warm lakes

A wrinkled clod as hard as brick; and when

Among their children  comfortable men

Gather about great fires  and yet feel cold:

Alas then for the homeless beggar old