Autumn

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 28, 3 February 1937, Page 15 (Supplement)

Autumn

Falling leaves and the Curfew tolling 'Gainst death love holding the door in vain, Twilight time and unfathomed silence, Strange co-mingling of joy and pain, Withered leaves where the buds have blossomed Smouldering ash where the furnace flamed, Empty boughs where the fruit is garnered, Seed pods drifting to spring again! Hands outstretched with the fruits of summer, Gracious and gay as bountiful Mother, Feeding her offspring in love’s burnt offering Giving her best and giving her all, And the bright red berries together form A graceful gown with the flowing corn, And a chaplet of vines her braids adorn And the wine is pressed where the ripe grapes fall. She speeds the hand of the harvest gleaner Home with the last of the wheat and vintage, Bronzed with the sun and sweat of summer Rich as proud Mars with his fruits of spoil Charging home with his spears of battle Through reddened brake and lowing cattle Trampling his feet where the brambles coil. Now tho sun is setting in i;obes of crimson, Fringing the ocean with purple and go%Flushing the hilltops of fading heather Flaming the heart of the dying, whin, Loosen thy sandals, with, widened, vision Build here an altar and worship heaven, What is the tomb but earth’s Godhewn cradle Autumn’s a sowing and gathering in. E. C, W.