Poems (Kimball)/The Lingering October Weather
THE LINGERING OCTOBER WEATHER.
to mrs. h. e. h.
DO you recall our pleasant walk, The last, dear friend, we took together, Our leisurely pace, our quiet talk, The lingering October weather?
How still the world was! Not a breath To lift a leaf or float a feather; A hush of happiness, not death, That lingering October weather.
While like some frolic creature tied By sweet content's unconscious tether,Your little one walked close beside That lingering October weather.
The lazy crows above our head Went slowly sailing through the ether; The dry leaves rustled at our tread That lingering October weather.
We followed up the winding road Where shore and river kissed each other,And Nature's peace our hearts o'erflowed That lingering October weather.
Against the background of the pines The birch and maple leaned together; A flame ran through the blackberry vines That lingering October weather.
Fair vistas opened either side, Of hill or stream, or both together; But one the hush on wood and tide That lingering October weather.
The distant mountain seemed a cloud Or like a melting opal rather,With such a gracious light endowed, That lingering October weather.
I looked upon your happy face; I watched you as we walked together I thought: She fills so fair a place! That lingering October weather.
With dancing eyes in swift surprise You stooped a wilding rose to gather; A rose, the pet of summer skies, Still blooming through October weather!
I thought how like the rose you were! Though youth and summer fly together, No frost, I said, will visit her, But lingering October weather.