Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, DANCE, MY SWEET!, by GAYLEN SHANNON



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DANCE, MY SWEET!, by                    
First Line: Dance, you wanton autumn, dance!
Last Line: Soon, too soon, you'll wear a shroud...
Subject(s): Seasons


Dance, you wanton Autumn, dance!
Follow creaking wagon wheels,
Dance where brittle fodder kneels!
Scent your breath and sing for meals,
Flaunt your scarlet slipper heels!
Spread your golden swirl of skirt,
Dance, you feckless gypsy flirt!

Blowing hot and blowing cold,
Feigning fear and growing bold,

Life your wine-red lips to greet
Eager lads whose mouths entreat
Honeyed largesse, harvest-sweet!

Ardent Autumn, Spendthrift-Life,
Maiden-Spring was Summer-Wife...

Scatter far your gypsy charms,
Laugh along the upland farms;
Sleep in still, impassioned arms!

Witch-fire marks each trysting place;
Questing hands will seek your grace...
Rifts of wood-smoke slowly curl...

Set your golden skirts aswirl;
Dance, my singing Autumn girl!

Blowing cold, growing old;
Stricken stars, haggard scars;
Scarlet leaf... frosted grief...

Dance, my sweet! Be wanton, proud!
Soon, too soon, you'll wear a shroud...





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