Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE REAPER by WILLIAM ARTHUR DUNKERLEY

First Line: ALL THROUGH THE BLOOD-RED AUTUMN
Last Line: THAT THE GLEANER BE GLAD IN HIS GLEANING.
Subject(s): AUTUMN; FARM LIFE; SEASONS; SPRING; SUMMER; WINTER; FALL; AGRICULTURE; FARMERS;
All through the blood-red Autumn,
When the harvest came to the full;
When the days were sweet with sunshine,
And the nights were wonderful,—
@3The Reaper reaped without ceasing.@1

All through the roaring Winter,
When the skies were black with wrath,
When earth alone slept soundly,
And the seas were white with froth,—
@3The Reaper reaped without ceasing.@1

All through the quick of the Spring-time,
When the birds sang cheerily,
When the trees and the flowers were burgeoning,
And men went wearily,—
@3The Reaper reaped without ceasing.@1

All through the blazing Summer,
When the year was at its best,
When Earth, subserving God alone,
In her fairest robes was dressed,—
@3The Reaper reaped without ceasing.@1

So, through the Season's roundings,
While nature waxed and waned,
And only man by thrall of man
Was scarred and marred and stained,—
@3The Reaper reaped without ceasing.@1

How long, O Lord, shall the Reaper
Harry the growing field?
Stretch out Thy Hand and stay him,
Lest the future no fruit yield!—
@3And the Gleaner find nought for His gleaning.@1

Thy Might alone can end it,—
This fratricidal strife.
Our souls are sick with the tale of death,
Redeem us back to life!—
@3That the Gleaner be glad in His gleaning.@1



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