Nature'sfirstgreenisgold,

　　Herhardesthuetohold.

　　Herearlyleafsaflower;

　　Butonlysoanhour.

　　Thenleafsubsidestoleaf.

　　SoEdensanktogrief,

　　Sodawngoesdowntoday.

　　Nothinggoldcanstay.

　　thisisverygoodenlishpoem

　　Thepoembeginsatonceinparadox:"greenisgold...leaf'saflower."Atonce,commonknowledge,preciseobservation,andtheimplicationsofancientassociationsarebroughtintoconflictingplay.Greenisthefirstmarkofspring,theassuranceoflife;yetinfactthefirstflushofvegetationfortheNewEnglandbirchandthewillowisnotgreenbutthehazeofdelicategold.Hencegreenisatheoryorsignofspring;goldisthefact.Gold,preciousandpermanentasametal,isherenotconsideredasametalbutasacolor.Itshueisdescribedashardtohold,asevanescentaswealthitself.