Dark-red roses in a honeyed wind swinging,

Silk-soft hollyhock, colored like the moon;

Larks high overhead lost in light, and singing—

That’s the way of June.

Dark red roses in the warm wind falling

Velvet leaf by velvet leaf, all the breathless noon;

Far off sea waves calling, calling, calling—

That’s the way of June.

Sweet as scarlet strawberry under wet leaves hidden,

Honeyed as the damask rose, lavish as the moon,

Shedding lovely light on things forgotten, hopes forbidden—

That’s the way of June.

—Pall Mall Gazette.