She Came In Spring Poem by Dr Ian Inkster

She Came in Spring

The Invalid, [W D Gallagher]

This is the text of the original poem The Invalid by Gallagher, here slight changes have been made re verses and I have dropped two. I think the original title was appalling as a poetic offering, how many people would turn to that title and how exemplary is it of the beautiful poem itself? So I have take the gigantic liberty in the name more of song and scan that of authenticity!
For my song turn to the MP3 file attached to this entry.
Ian Inkster


In every motion grace was hers
On every feature sweetness dwelt
Thoughts soon became her worshippers
Affections soon before her knelt.

She bloomed through all the summer days
As sweetly as the fairest flowers
And, till October's softening haze
Came with its still and dreamy hours

So calm the current of her life
So lovely and serene its flow
We hardly marked the deadly strife
Disease for ever kept below.

But autumn winds grew wild and chill
And pierced her with their icy breath
And when the snow on plain and hill
Lay white, she passed and slept in death.


Tones only of immortal birth
Our memory of her voice can stir
With things too beautiful for earth
Alone do we remember her

She came in spring, when leaves were green
And birds sang blithe in bower and tree
And flowers sprang up and bloomed between
Low branches and the quickening lea.