Periwinkle's evergreen
Periwinkle's strong,
Under the snow it lives
All Winter long.

When the first thaw comes
Periwinkle's seen
In all its myrtle grace
Clear, dark green.

I know a hill where
Periwinkle grows,
A little hill that
The morning knows.

There's a cedar tree
The new day sees
Before she speaks to
The other trees.

Now the snow melts
In patches there,
And green leaves greet
The chill March air.

Sturdy leaves
No frost can break,
Friendly with Winter
For April's sake.

Children will come
When the blue flowers blow,
Early—early—
The children know.

Small hands curve on
The cool, green stem,
Year by year I
Have watched for them.

The child's heart
Is joy's true measure,
A handful of sky
For the child's treasure.

Periwinkle flower
Is early blue,
Periwinkle's green
The Winter through.