Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 59, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 October 1915 — A Song of Leaves. [ARTICLE]

A Song of Leaves.

O Father Time, discard thy scythe! ’Tis past the time for mowing! For autumn dyes are in the skies And autumn winds are blowing. For all the grass is brown, alas! The rose trees naked shiver And autumn leaves are in the sheaves Or drifting on the river. 0 Father Time, discard thy scythe! ’Tis time the tools were shifted; Since in the garden and the road The windrowed leaves lie drifted. The talking leaves—the laughing leaves That, crowned the brow of June Are dry and crumbled under feet In Nature’s afternoon! Like joys of ours—like hopes of ours— With light and beauty burning, From day to day they drop away— Unstayed-—and unreturning! Tiie scarlet leaves—the golden leaves— A countless multitude— They strew the meadows lavishly And carpet all the wood! 0 Father Time, make haste! make haste! ; The afternoon is waning; And in the forest boughs I hear October’s wind complaining, And from the northern seas comes down The Winter, Viking savage! The lonely leaves, thou Genius gray, Let not his minions ravage! —Springfield Republican.