YOU see in Autumn on the telegraph wires The swallows shiver in a long, dark line. You feel their little, cold hearts throb and pine. The very smallest, having seen it not, To the blue sky of Africa aspires. . . . Having seen it not, I say. Even as we Who long for Heaven in our restless dread. They perch, watching the air with eager head, Or fly in little circles hesitantly, Ever returning to the self-same spot. 'Tis hard to leave the church's sheltering porch! Hard that it is not warm as in past days! They are saddened that the old nut-tree betrays Their faith by the swift falling of its leaves. The year's young fledglings cannot understand Dead Spring above which solemn Autumn grieves. Even thus the soul, wrung by so many woes, Ere on diviner seas it find its track And reaches Heaven of the Eternal Rose, Tries, falters and, before it flees, comes back. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CAVE PAINTING by HAYDEN CARRUTH BENEDICTION by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON MAGDALEN by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON SYMPHONIC STUDIES (AFTER ROBERT SCHUMANN) by EMMA LAZARUS DOMEDAY BOOK: JOHN CAMPBELL AND CARL EATON by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: REV. LEMUEL WILEY by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |