winter bloom

we need the vision of the winter bloom
not the raw force of the hard summer rose
to warm the hearts within our little room

it's not the colour or the faint perfume
that most of all the calmest grace bestows
we need the vision of the winter bloom

here in the south we still feel weight of gloom
and need a brightness with its kindly glows
to warm the hearts within our little room

far be it from you simply to assume
that you can lead us coldly by the nose
we need the vision of the winter bloom

we dare not let the tyrant cold consume
our common sense the effort quickly grows
to warm the hearts within our little room

we take a joy to overcome all doom
that has a meaning that is past all shows
we need the vision of the winter bloom
to warm the hearts within our little room