Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SEASONS, by HATTIE HOME


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SEASONS, by                    
First Line: I come from the distant, frozen zones
Last Line: Please give us a song, our journey to cheer.
Subject(s): Seasons


SCENE 2. To be represented by fifteen girls, and one boy to represent MARCH.

Each season with, its months passes along, with appropriate fruits, flowers,
grain etc.

WINTER.

I COME from the distant frozen zones,
Where the ice ever binds, and the wind ever moans.
Cold, chilling winds follow fast in my track;
All frown at my coming, and wish me back.
The meadows I'll cover with a mantle of snow,
Which I scatter abroad wherever I go.
With ice I will silence the murmuring streams;
With clouds I will hide the sun's powerless beams.
All nature must sleep in my chilling embrace
Till the arrival of Spring, when I must give place.
My children are with me, my designs to fulfill,
They may speak for themselves; they all do my will.

DECEMBER.

I am the first-born of winter, yet of months am the last
All rejoice at my coming, yet joy when I'm past;
For my dark, gloomy days, and long, cheerless nights
Are illumined by naught save the gay Christmas sights
I am the favorite of the girls and the boys,
For with me come visions of Santa Claus' toys.
"Christmas is coming," and then you will hear
The last dying knell of the fast passing year.
Pause, now, and think what account it will bear.
But my mission is ended, my farewell's soon said,
And I hasten to join the years that are fled

JANUARY.

I am proud January, the first of the year;
All rejoice at my coming, and joy when I'm here.
Gladness and mirth follow close in my train,
"A happy New Year" is heard again and again.
My visions are bright, no forebodings I know;
My hopes tinge all objects with fancy's bright glow
Fondly I linger, still longer I'd dwell,
But I, too, must hasten to bid you farewell.

FEBRUARY.

As I am the third, and my days being few,
With not many words I will now trouble you.
I am short, cold, and crusty, I very well know,
But once in four years I kindly bestow
"A Leap Year," that ladies their husbands may choose!
Yet I give the poor gents a chance to refuse.
But I, too, must hasten away from your sight,
So to all I will bid "good night! good night!"

CHORUS.

We are passing away, but ere we are gone
You will hear the shrill notes of our winter song.

SPRING.

I COME, the timid and gentle Spring,
Sweet treasures of beauty and blossoms to bring.
The streams I'll unlock from their fetters strong,
And soon you will hear them murmuring along.
The cold, chilling winds will vanish away,
For they know of my coming and will not stay.
All nature rejoices, for soon will be seen
The earth enrobed in its vesture of green;
And beautiful flowers springing every where,
Teaching a lesson of God's provident care.
From its distant home I call to the bird,
And soon will its joyous song be heard.
To the poor and the needy sweet comfort I bring,
And all rejoice to welcome the Spring.
But my children are waiting their gifts to bestow,
And we'll sing you a song as away we go.

MARCH.

I am bold March, the noisy, and proud;
Blowing my trumpet so long and so loud.
Fitful and stormy, a pest and a joy,
For all pronounce me "a troublesomes boy;"
I care for nobody, no, not I,
So I'll take my leave without a "good-by."

APRIL.

Timidly I come as my rude brother leaves;
His boisterous manner my spirit oft grieves;
He chills my fond heart, and fills it with pain,
That my heart's dearest treasures I can not retain.
So I weep sad tears o'er the springing flowers,
And thus sadly vanish poor April's hours.

MAY.

Charming and gay comes the laughing May,
Singing and skipping the glad hours away.
Blooming so sweet are my beautiful flowers,
Decking with gladness earth's loveliest bowers.
The forests are ringing with music most sweet,
Happiest voices our ears ever greet.
How charming and gay around is each scene,
Clad in its garb of beautiful green!
With smiles and with joy I now pass away,
Leaving bright visions of blooming May.

CHORUS.

Brother and sisters, we pass along,
And sing, as we go, our welcome song.

SUMMER.

I COME from a far distant Southern clime,
Where the orange-flowers bloom and myrtles twine;
Where the skies ever smile over glittering seas,
And richest perfumes are borne on each breeze.
To the North I come with my heated breath,
Bringing, too often, disease and death;
Yet in my steps comes the rich golden grain,
Luscious fruits I give you, they come in my train.
The year's bright noon-time, how pleasant it seems,
E'en under the sun's hot, scorching beams
My children, hasten and bring your store,
Gladdening the hearts of men once more.

JUNE.

I am June, and gladly I bring to you
Mild, balmy air, and skies of blue;
Days of soft and hallowed light,
Followed by a fairy, gentle night.
Long, long days of sunniest noon,
Mark the hours of radiant June.

JULY.

I am July, and close in my train
Come the rich harvests of golden grain;
Berries and fruits I will bring to you
Ere I pass away and say, "Adieu."

AUGUST.

August comes with its sultry days,
Bringing rich crops of the golden maize;
Yet causing all to sigh for the breeze,
Which only is found by the murmuring seas.
The city's deserted, all flee to green fields.
To taste of the joys which the country now yields
But my long tedious days at length will be done,
And I, like my sisters, must be passing along.

CHORUS.

Warm-hearted sisters for ever we be,
So sing, as we go, a farewell glee.

AUTUMN.

I COME, grave Autumn, proud boasters to show
That their haughtiest works will soon be laid low.
I breathe o'er the forests, how changed they appear!
The grass withers away as if in sadness and fear.
I scatter the leaves from the loftiest trees,
And gather them up with the eddying breeze.
The songsters that warble so happy and gay,
All hasten to flee, at my coming, away;
Yet there's joy in my presence, for gladly I give
Of my richest abundance that mankind may live.
My children are weary with the burdens they bear
Of the rich, luscious fruits of the fast passing year.

SEPTEMBER.

Quiet comes the mild September,
Bringing joys that all remember;
Gladdening hearts with plenteous store,
That for all there's plenty more
Fruit and food; so none need fear
Want will trouble us this year.

OCTOBER.

Cool October greets you here,
With frosty breath, so pure and clear.
With its days, so calm and pleasant,
Will return the jay and pheasant.
Dropping nuts fall thick apace,
Gladdening many an urchin's face.
But my sunshine must give way
Before my sister's gloomy day.

NOVEMBER.

They call me "dull," and full well do I know
I can boast but of little save of rain and snow.
November's my name, which none will admire,
But shrink at my coming and call for a fire.
So quickly I'll leave, for I will not remain
Where my presence brings naught but sadness and pain

CHORUS.

Sisters are we of the fading year,
Please give us a song, our journey to cheer.





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