 | Landmarks and other poems |  |
63
APPLE-GATHERING.
The beautiful apples, so golden and mellow,
They will fall at a kiss of the breeze,
While it breathes through the foliage frosty and yellow
And the sunshine is filling the trees!
Though high in the light wind they gladly would linger
On the boughs where their blossoms were found,
Yet they drop at a breath, at the touch of a finger
They shatter their cores on the ground!
They will fall at a kiss of the breeze,
While it breathes through the foliage frosty and yellow
And the sunshine is filling the trees!
Though high in the light wind they gladly would linger
On the boughs where their blossoms were found,
Yet they drop at a breath, at the touch of a finger
They shatter their cores on the ground!
Through the morn of October while Autumn is trying
With all things to make-believe Spring,
How the leaves of the orchard around us are flying!—
The heavens with jubilee ring!
The ladders in breezes of sunshine are swinging,
The farmer-boys gladden and climb:
To gather the fruit they are swaying and singing—
Glad hearts to glad voices keep time!
With all things to make-believe Spring,
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The heavens with jubilee ring!
The ladders in breezes of sunshine are swinging,
The farmer-boys gladden and climb:
To gather the fruit they are swaying and singing—
Glad hearts to glad voices keep time!
Far down the bright air they are happy to listen
To the noise of the mill and the flail,
And the waters that laugh as they leap and they glisten
From the dam that is lighting the vale!
The wild flutter of bells that so dreamily rises
From glades where the cows wander slow,
And the laughter of faces in childish surprises
When the wind flings an apple below!
To the noise of the mill and the flail,
And the waters that laugh as they leap and they glisten
From the dam that is lighting the vale!
The wild flutter of bells that so dreamily rises
From glades where the cows wander slow,
And the laughter of faces in childish surprises
When the wind flings an apple below!
65
Oh, see! in the trees that are drinking the splendor,
How the gladness of boyhood is seen!—
How they shake all the branches so windy and slender,
And a quick golden rain is between!
High and higher they climb, till the grasses are cover'd
With the fruits that were sweet April flowers,
And the yellowing leaves that all over them hover'd
Flutter down with the apples in showers!
How the gladness of boyhood is seen!—
How they shake all the branches so windy and slender,
And a quick golden rain is between!
High and higher they climb, till the grasses are cover'd
With the fruits that were sweet April flowers,
And the yellowing leaves that all over them hover'd
Flutter down with the apples in showers!
The harvests are garner'd, the meadows are burning,
At sunset, in golden and brown;
The apples are gather'd, the wagons returning:
The Winter may bluster and frown!
The blind-drifting snows may make barren the even,
Dark twilights may shiver with rain;
But the apples and cider by Summer are given—
Give Winter to Summer again!
At sunset, in golden and brown;
The apples are gather'd, the wagons returning:
The Winter may bluster and frown!
The blind-drifting snows may make barren the even,
Dark twilights may shiver with rain;
But the apples and cider by Summer are given—
Give Winter to Summer again!
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