The rain was ending, and
Lifting the leaden skies.
It shone upon ceiling and
And dazzled a child's eyes.
Pale after fever, a
Apart from his schoolfellows,
He stood at the high room's
With face to the pane pressed close,
And beheld an immense
Flooding with fire the
Spilled on miraculous
Of the fresh green lime-tree tops.
Washed gravel glittered
To a wall, and beyond it
Tall limes in the old inn
Rose over the tall inn sign.
And voices arose from
Of boys from school set free,
Racing and chasing each
With laughter and games and glee.
To the boy at the high room-window,
Gazing alone and apart,
There came a wish without reason,
A thought that shone through his heart.
I'll choose this moment and keep it,
He said to himself, for a vow,
To remember for ever and
As if it were always now.