Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ALMS IN AUTUMN, by ROSE FYLEMAN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ALMS IN AUTUMN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Spindle-wood, spindle-wood, will you lend me, pray
Last Line: They'll set the realms of fairyland all dancing with delight.
Subject(s): Autumn; Fairies; Seasons; Fall; Elves


SPINDLE-WOOD, spindle-wood, will you lend me, pray,
A flaming little lantern to guide me on my way?
The fairies all have vanished from the meadow and the glen
And I would fain go seeking till I find them once again.
Lend me now a lantern that I may bear a light
To find the hidden pathway in the darkness of the night.

Ash-tree, ash-tree, throw me, if you please,
Throw me down a slender bunch of russet-gold keys.
I fear the gates of Fairyland will all be shut so fast
That nothing but your magic keys will ever take me past.
I'll tie them to my girdle, and as I go along
My heart will find a comfort in the tinkle of their song.

Holly-bush, holly-bush, help me in my task,
A pocketful of berries is all the alms I ask:
A pocketful of berries to thread in glowing strands
(I would not go a-visiting with nothing in my hands).
So fine will be the rosy chains, so gay, so glossy bright
They'll set the realms of Fairyland all dancing with delight.





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