The Blue Bird (Custance)/The Autumn Day
For other versions of this work, see The Autumn Day (Custance).
THE AUTUMN DAY
How delicately steps the autumn dayIn azure cloak and gown of ashen greyOver the level country that I love!
With glittering veils of light about her headAnd skirts of wide horizons round her spreadWhite as the white wing-feathers of a dove.
Her feet, a flash of silver on the sea,Chase silver sails that fly untiringlyTowards the enchanted Islands of the West.
Beautiful Islands, gardens of delight!That flower at dawn with roses red and white . . .And flame at sunset gold and amethyst . . .
How delicately steps the autumn dayIn azure cloak and gown of ashen greyOver the level country that I love . . .
And how my heart that all sweet things beguileGoes laughing with her for a little while . . .And then turns homeward like a weary dove.