Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


COUNSEL by JOSEPH FRANCIS CARLIN MACDONNELL

First Line: NO HARVEST SHALL THEY STORE
Last Line: GOD LOVE YOU, BOY, GOD LOVE YOU!
Subject(s): ADVICE; HARVEST;

No harvest shall they store
Who squander hopes galore
On May, nor mind September --
Remember, boy, remember!

Though corn be ripe for hook,
They'll wander off with brook
To fairy fields unplanted --
Enchanted, boy, enchanted!

And though their timothy
Wait scythe, they'd rather see
Diana's sickle mow it --
I know it, boy, I know it!

But if, down autumn's day,
You spend desires on May
Nor heed what I'm professing --
My blessing, boy, my blessing!

And should you haply sing
Green leaves, while harvesting
Their ghostly gold above you --
God love you, boy, God love you!



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