The Tropics in New York
Bananas ripe and green, and ginger-root,
Cocoa in pods and alligator pears, And tangerines and mangoes and grape fruit,
Fit for the highest prize at parish fairs, Set in the window, bringing memories
Of fruit-trees laden by low-singing rills, And dewy dawns, and mystical blue skies
In benediction over nun-like hills. My eyes grew dim, and I could no more gaze;
A wave of longing through my body swept, And, hungry for the old, familiar ways,
I turned aside and bowed my head and wept.
Composition date is unknown - the above date represents the first publication date.
The lyrical form of this poem is abab.