This poem also appeared in Spring in New Hampshire 1920 [†] Claude McKay To Winter Claude McKay Spring in New Hampshire London Grant Richards Ltd. 1920 23 and Cambridge Magazine Summer, 1920 [#] To Winter Cambridge Magazine Summer, 1920 57 .
Stay, season of calm love and soulful snows!
There is a subtle sweetness in the sun,
The ripples on the stream's breast gaily run,
The wind more boisterously by me blows,
And each succeeding day now longer grows.
The birds a gladder music have begun,
The squirrel, full of mischief and of fun,
From maples' topmost branch the brown twig small brown twigs†# throws.
I read these pregnant signs, know what they mean:
I know that thou art making ready to go.
Oh stay! . . .†# I fled a land where fields are green
Always, and palms wave gently to and fro,
And winds are balmy, blue brooks ever sheen,
To ease my heart of its impassioned woe.