Classic and Contemporary Poetry
AUTUMN, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: As a harvester, at dusk Last Line: These delights for festival. Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Autumn; Festivals; Harvest; Seasons; Singing & Singers; Fall; Fairs; Pageants | ||||||||
AS a harvester, at dusk, Faring down some wooded trail Leading homeward through the musk Of May-apple and papaw, Hazel-bush and spice and haw, -- So comes Autumn, swart and hale, Drooped of frame and slow of stride, But withal an air of pride Looming up in stature far Higher than his shoulders are; Weary both in arm and limb, Yet the wholesome heart of him Sheer at rest and satisfied. Greet him as with glee of drums And glad cymbals, as he comes! Robe him fair, O Rain and Shine! He the Emperor -- the King -- Royal lord of everything Sagging Plenty's granary floors And out-bulging all her doors; He the god of corn and wine, Honey, milk, and fruit and oil -- Lord of feast, as lord of toil -- Jocund host of yours and mine! Ho! the revel of his laugh! -- Half is sound of winds, and half Roar of ruddy blazes drawn Up the throats of chimneys wide, Circling which, from side to side, Faces -- lit as by the Dawn, With her highest tintings on Tip of nose, and cheek, and chin -- Smile at some old fairy tale Of enchanted lovers, in Silken gown and coat of mail, With a retinue of elves Merry as their very selves, Trooping ever, hand in hand, Down the dales of Wonderland. Then the glory of his song! -- Lifting up his dreamy eyes -- Singing haze across the skies; Singing clouds that trail along Towering tops of trees that seize Tufts of them to stanch the breeze; Singing slanted strands of rain In between the sky and earth, For the lyre to mate the mirth And the might of his refrain: Singing southward-flying birds Down to us, and afterwards Singing them to flight again: Singing blushes to the cheeks Of the leaves upon the trees -- Singing on and changing these Into pallor, slowly wrought, Till the little, moaning creeks Bear them to their last farewell, As Elaine, the lovable, Was borne down to Lancelot. -- Singing drip of tears, and then Drying them with smiles again. Singing apple, peach and grape, Into roundest, plumpest shape; Rosy ripeness to the face Of the pippin; and the grace Of the dainty stamen-tip To the huge bulk of the pear, Pendent in the green caress Of the leaves, and glowing through With the tawny laziness Of the gold that Ophir knew, -- Haply, too, within its rind Such a cleft as bees may find, Bungling on it half aware, And wherein to see them sip, Fancy lifts an oozy lip, And the singer's falter there. Sweet as swallows swimming through Eddyings of dusk and dew, Singing happy scenes of home Back to sight of eager eyes That have longed for them to come, Till their coming is surprise Uttered only by the rush Of quick tears and prayerful hush: Singing on, in clearer key, Hearty palms of you and me Into grasps that tingle still Rapturous, and ever will! Singing twank and twang of strings -- Trill of flute and clarinet In a melody that rings Like the tunes we used to play, And our dreams are playing yet! Singing lovers, long astray, Each to each; and, sweeter things, -- Singing in their marriage-day, And a banquet holding all These delights for festival. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FESTIVAL OF GIOVEDI GRASSO by MATTHEA HARVEY I DEFINE THE DARKNESS CORRECT: THE FESTIVAL OF THE FRERES LUMIERES by ELENI SIKELIANOS THE DANCE (2) by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS AT CASTERBRIDGE FAIR: 1. THE BALLAD-SINGER by THOMAS HARDY AT CASTERBRIDGE FAIR: 2. FORMER BEAUTIES by THOMAS HARDY AT CASTERBRIDGE FAIR: 3. AFTER THE CLUB-DANCE by THOMAS HARDY AT CASTERBRIDGE FAIR: 4. THE MARKET-GIRL by THOMAS HARDY AT CASTERBRIDGE FAIR: 5. THE INQUIRY by THOMAS HARDY AT CASTERBRIDGE FAIR: 6. A WIFE WAITS by THOMAS HARDY A BOY'S MOTHER by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY |
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