Poems (Taylor)/An October Afternoon

by Rachel Annand Taylor

AN OCTOBER AFTERNOON

   Never again    The world all gold,    Repured and cold,And carved like a great brazen incense cup!    To gods of oldThis rare barbaric perfume riseth up   Never again.

   Never again    Yon sorceries    May burn the treesThat on the green horizon dream to death.    Rich tears like theseUpon your lids: upon my lip such breath   Never again!