Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE OAK TORCH by JULIA BOYNTON GREEN

First Line: NOW SOBER AUTUMN WALKS THE MOUNTAIN WAYS
Last Line: WHERE A LONE OAK THRUSTS FORTH HER GREAT FLAMBEAU!
Subject(s): OAK TREES;

Now sober Autumn walks the mountain ways.
Spent the bright hoard of Summer's almonry.
Famished for color, the importunate eye
Must feed on crumbs. This shrunken wand displays
One solitary disk of purple rays
Circling a tarnished sun. Wild gooseberry
Has splashed her faded skirt with ruby dye.
Stray bluebirds fledged in sapphire lure the gaze.

In covert snug a thrifty sword-fern hides
Last plumes from searching fingers of the frost.
Then -- wonderful! -- where the stark canon sides
Lean closer, dark with ooze and richly mossed,
A yellow flare -- a sudden splendid glow
Where a lone oak thrusts forth her great flambeau!



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