Ursula Bethell

Candour

Everything was white this morning.
   White mists wandered all about the river-bed,
Grey clouds, light infused, conveyed the morning,
   Covering with whiteness the wide sky overhead.

White, past belief, the high and snowy mountains,
   Phantom-like, visionary; whiteness upon whiteness
Of frozen foam from far celestial mountains
   Suffused with soft and universal brightness.

Everything was white, this morning,
   Untroubled, luminous and tranquil pure;
Bright as an affianced bride, adorning
Herself with white upon the plighted morning;
   Past all debate, all hazard, still, and sure.

From Day and Night (Caxton, 1939)

 

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Last updated 10 April, 2005