AFTER dark vapors have oppress'd our plains For a long dreary season, comes a day Born of the gentle South, and clears away From the sick heavens all unseemly stains. The anxious month, relieved of its pains, Takes as a long-lost right the feel of May; The eyelids with the passing coolness play Like rose leaves with the drip of Summer rains. The calmest thoughts come round us; as of leaves Budding--fruit ripening in stillness--Autumn suns Smiling at eve upon the quiet sheaves-- Sweet Sappho's cheek--a smiling infant's breath-- The gradual sand that through an hour-glass runs-- A woodland rivulet--a Poet's death. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A DEPOSITION FROM LOVE by THOMAS CAREW TO MARY UNWIN by WILLIAM COWPER FLOWERS WITHOUT FRUIT by JOHN HENRY NEWMAN I DO NOT LOVE THEE by CAROLINE ELIZABETH SARAH SHERIDAN NORTON DEAD MAN'S DUMP by ISAAC ROSENBERG CASTLES by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH |