Poem by John Greenleaf Whittier

This is a literal translation of A Day by John Greenleaf Whittier.

"Do not think of the sad cold November when a warm June breeze comes and blows the grass. Trees cast shadows, birds sing, and warm sunny rays go down the hill. In the winter, the birds do not sing, and the bees do not hum. The crickets do not chirp; the squirrels hoard nuts for the winter. The hemlock's slowly come awake, and the bird's come and defy winter's cold threat. O wonderful new and old beauty! Oh nature extra dear when the warm sunshine warns the oncoming winter. I hold close to my heart the lovely things and hope for the flowers and nature of spring from God."

This poem talks about nature through imagery, and he uses his own longing and feelings to make the poem more dramatic. Figuritively, the poem describes how the longing of spring keeps him going through the cold hard winter. Thoughts of the animals and the flowers and the warm sun play a major part in the making of this poem. Whittier's thoughts of these things give the poem that hopeful theme and tone throughout the poem.