Unexpected Joy

by Lucy M. Young

Across the steel gray sky
No break appeared, no lifting of that solid mass of clouds;
Not even one white cloud to soften its austerity.
A raw north wind, which breathed of snow, lashed at my body,
Pouring grayness on my spirit.

When suddenly, around a bend,
I found, caught in the branches of a little tree
A patch of golden sunlight -
Another, and another, 'til the dreary sky was blotted out
In one great, glorious blaze of sunshine
Fashioned by a tree.