the stirring

Where are the spring days of my girlhood?
lily-of-the-valley dangle diamonds of dew
Whence fled the springtime of my girlhood?
wide-eyed sunshine and a world made anew

Oh they are lost, you woman of idleness, oh it has gone, young woman of work!
Though the world is a garden, you have forgotten;
you have neglected the garden of joy.
Open your eyes, you woman of girlhood,
open them wide to the sights of today:

- the spears of the iris are rising like soldiers,
- the daffodil-gold is spread like a quilt
- the robin is already boasting his colors
- the sword-blades of grass are green to the hilt

Exult in this day, oh daughter of worry,
rejoice in the lavishness lavished on you!
Rejoice in the Maker, oh daughter of duty,
exult in His bounty, you child of pain.
For He is the Lord, of springtime and harvest,
and it His is pleasure you’ve discovered again!