The Earth Turns South/Calendar

by Clement Richardson Wood

III.
GREEN LEAVES AND BROWN

CALENDAR

Spring will come soon,—there comes an end to snowing;Summer her golden melody will bring,Rich Autumn's gorgeous fires come glowing, glowing,—Then follows Winter, ere another Spring.

The earth is sore of Winter's blustering;The pale green leaves clamor to start their growing,And to one hope our ice-bound spirits cling:Spring will come soon; there comes an end to snowing.

Ah, filmy flowers, you are overflowingThe meadows; and the sky will lift the wingOf many a bird who seeks you blindly, knowingSummer her golden melody will bring,

Color, and flame, and fragrance; these will flingThemselves on crest and lowland, gayly showingHow high the unspoken tide of joy can swing;Rich Autumn's gorgeous fires come glowing, glowing,

Till they burn brown and low, their ardor slowing,Their passion at its final evening;Over the fields the withering blasts come blowing;Then follows Winter, ere another Spring.

Yet will we welcome the raw buffeting,Thankful for this stern strength it is bestowing,A goad to sloth, to deadened life a sting:Prepare your soul for the new time of sowing,-Spring will come soon.