University of Virginia Library

THE YELLOW LEAF IN THE POET'S BOOK

I

‘Whisper, Yellow Leaf, to me
Thy forgotten history.’

‘One far Spring-time, green and young,
On a sunny bough we hung.

‘Blithest of green leaves were we,
Fluttering glad on the green tree.

‘Merrily fairy moonbeams played,
Dancing through our dancing shade.

‘Decked with Morn's gay jewellery,
Full of singing birds were we.

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106

‘Through the May and through the June
We danced every light wind's tune.

‘Ask not where my kin are flown—
I am old and here alone.

‘Their far Summer-time was brief:—
I am here, a Yellow Leaf.

‘Sunbeams grew chill and winds grew wild—
Kiss the Summer's orphan child!’

II

‘Whisper, Yellow Leaf, to me
Why the Poet treasures thee.’

‘That far Spring, when I was young,
In our shade a maiden sung.

‘And his life, a blossoming tree,
Danced with leaves as glad as we.

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107

‘But those happy leaves at last
Fluttered, falling, to the Past.

‘See his song along with me,
Yellow Leaf of Memory.

‘Bookmarks of his life we lie,
Brother-leaves, the song and I.

‘Song and leaf, from that far Spring
Dreams of joy and woe we bring.

‘Let the Poet's song be sung—
I again am green and young;

‘Look, the maiden sings below!—
Sun-leafed shadows wreathe her brow.

‘Summer-time and Love were brief—
Love the Poet's Yellow Leaf!’