 | The Poems of Selwyn Image |  |
120
WINTER'S APPROACH
The poor old Chestnut at my gate
Stands stark and bare—
These wild October rains and wind
No beauty spare—
Against the monotonous sky of threatening gray
How dolorous pathetic a form to-day!
Short, short seems the vanished while since when
Its green and rose
Bade tenderest welcome to the Spring—
Spent Winter's snows
And rigorous cruelty that held Earth pent
In straitened durance of glum discontent.
Stands stark and bare—
These wild October rains and wind
No beauty spare—
Against the monotonous sky of threatening gray
How dolorous pathetic a form to-day!
Short, short seems the vanished while since when
Its green and rose
Bade tenderest welcome to the Spring—
Spent Winter's snows
And rigorous cruelty that held Earth pent
In straitened durance of glum discontent.
Yet, that May Morn sprang all to life
Around, within;
Gay flowers, birds, bees, and butterflies—
Ah! sure 'twere sin
'Mid such young frolickers not to share a part—
Who feels it not's unblest of eyes or heart.
Around, within;
Gay flowers, birds, bees, and butterflies—
Ah! sure 'twere sin
'Mid such young frolickers not to share a part—
Who feels it not's unblest of eyes or heart.
Then up leaped our spirits as a boy's
Released from rule
Of galling work at factory,
Or shop, or school,
Light as the air himself now free to please
At whatso sports his vagrant fancy seize.
Released from rule
Of galling work at factory,
Or shop, or school,
Light as the air himself now free to please
At whatso sports his vagrant fancy seize.
But swiftly they speed your hours away,
May-tide and June!
The heavy laden July heavens
Weigh down how soon
Your delicate fragrance, and soft daintiness
Of form and hue 'neath heat's oppressiveness.
May-tide and June!
The heavy laden July heavens
Weigh down how soon
Your delicate fragrance, and soft daintiness
Of form and hue 'neath heat's oppressiveness.
121
And now even Autumn's golden charm
Bespeaks farewell;
Riches that one brief week ago
With magic spell
Shone through the mellow sunlight high in air
Lie strewn on earth, wealth's havoc everywhere.
Bespeaks farewell;
Riches that one brief week ago
With magic spell
Shone through the mellow sunlight high in air
Lie strewn on earth, wealth's havoc everywhere.
He comes, he comes resistlessly,
The Dread One's near!
Be up, be up his threat to meet,
Show him no fear—
Gird, Man, thy spirit to face him, and confess,
What visions hath he too of rare loveliness.
The Dread One's near!
Be up, be up his threat to meet,
Show him no fear—
Gird, Man, thy spirit to face him, and confess,
What visions hath he too of rare loveliness.
October 13th, 1929.
| The Poems of Selwyn Image | |