Dermot Freyer . Like balls of snow That in mid air hover , The white chrysanthemums Sway and recover . Like balls of snow Splashed on a wall , The winds blow And the white flake - petals fall . Like balls of snow , When the moon is out , Dew - kissed , the white petals Fling pale fires about . All through the wild nights , Like balls of snow , The white chrysanthemums Toss to and fro .