Autumn by Channing

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 11, 1902

Autumn

By Channing

A varied wreath the autumn weaves Of cold gray days and gloomy weather, And strews gay flowers and withered leaves Along my lonely path together; I see the golden-rod shine bright As sunshowers at the birth of day — A golden plume of yellow light, That robs the day god’s splendid ray.

The aster’s violet rays divide The bank with many stars for me, And yarrow in blanch tints is dyed As moonlight floats across the sea. I see the emerald woods prepare To shed their vestiture once more; And distant elm trees spot the air With yellow pictures softly o’er.

I saw an ash burn scarlet red Beneath a pine’s perpetual green, And sighing birches hung their head, Protected by a hemlock screen; Yet light the verdant willow floats Above the river’s shining face, And sheds its rain of hurried motes With a swift shower’s harmonious grace.

The petals of the cardinal Fleck with their crimson drops the stream, As spots of blood the banquet hall In some young knight’s romantic dream. No more the water lily’s pride In milk-white circles swims content; No more the blue weed’s clusters ride, And mock the heavens’ element.

Now speeds from out the river’s thought The spirit of the leaf that falls; Its heaven in that calm bosom wrought, As mine among yon crimson walls; From the dry bough it spins to greet Its shadow in the placid river; So might I my companions meet, Nor roam the countless worlds forever!

Autumn! thy wreath and mine are blent With the same colors; for to me A richer sky than all is lent, While fades my dreamlike company; Our skies glow purple — but the wind Sobs chill through green trees and bright grass; To-day shines fair — yet lurk behind The times that into winter pass.

So fair we seem, so cold we are, So fast we hasten to decay! Yet through our night glows many a star That still shall claim its sunny day. — Channing.