AFTERTHOUGHT of summer's bloom! Late arrival at the feast, Coming when the songs have ceased And the merry guests departed, Leaving but an empty room, Silence, solitude, and gloom! Are you lonely, heavy-hearted; You, the last of all your kind, Nodding in the autumn wind; Now that all your friends are flown, Blooming late and all alone? Nay, I wrong you, little flower, Reading mournful mood of mine In your looks, that give no sign Of a spirit dark and cheerless! You possess the heavenly power That rejoices in the hour. Glad, contented, free, and fearless. Lift a sunny face to heaven When a sunny day is given! Make a summer of your own, Blooming late and all alone! Once the daisies gold and white Sea-like through the meadow rolled: Once my heart could hardly hold All its pleasures. I remember, In the flood of youth's delight Separate joys were lost to sight. That was summer! Now November Sets the perfect flower apart; Gives each blossom of the heart Meaning, beauty, grace unknown, -- Blooming late and all alone. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THRENODY FOR A BROWN GIRL by COUNTEE CULLEN ELEONORA; A PANEGYRICAL POEM by JOHN DRYDEN MUSKETAQUID by RALPH WALDO EMERSON TO THE VIRGINS, TO MAKE MUCH OF TIME by ROBERT HERRICK LYRICS TO IANTHE (2). LAMENT by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR A UTILITARIAN VIEW OF THE MONITOR'S FIGHT by HERMAN MELVILLE |