HAIL, AUTUMN!

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 124, 27 May 1936, Page 22

HAIL, AUTUMN!

(By Yelra Beattle.) The summer sun departing, dims its former dazzling rays. The shadows of the mountains linger far into the haze, The cattle on the rutted track stroll by, while in a blaze The autumn sun sinks low. The morrow now: the yellow grain that stood so brave and tall Will soon beneath the reaper's blade inevitably fall. There —sun-blessed apples, mellow pears that rest against the wall — O autumn, tliou art fair! Dark -hazelnut trees, not yet stripped, whisper in the breeze; Oh, listen to that steady hum—those are the busy bees. And how the birds do cluster round these spindleberry trees. O autumn bountiful! The poplar trees as sentinels, stand yellow 'gainst the blue Of sky; while other trees are donning robes of gayer hue. Those scarlet hips are pretty, but ripe plums are lovely too. Thou autumn, season gay! But these, o autumn, of thy gifts are few from out thy store. For fruit, for grain, for nuts, for flow'rs, for beauties evermore We render thanks —for blessings that munificently pour— Hail, autumn, thou are bliss!