Songs and Sonnets (Coleman)/In October

by Helena Jane Coleman

IN OCTOBER

 

(on the university lawn.)

 

Touched by October's changing frost and heat,
The ivy flames upon the gray old walls,
Or, whirled by sudden, fitful breezes, falls
In little crimson showers at our feet;
Impetuous Spring and lingering Autumn meet
On these wide lawns and in the echoing halls,
For Summer with its golden bounty calls
To hearts that still with youth and promise beat.

These Norman towers uplifted to the sun
A nation's hope enshrine, a nation's pride,
And one can scarcely look unmoved upon
The nation's youth now gathering to their side,
So great the future to be lost or won—
So sweet the siren-songs, so swift the tide!