Nature-notes and impressions : in prose and verse / by Madison Cawein [electronic text]

I saw sweet Summer go Into a woodland green, Unto a sliding stream, A drowsy water; With cheeks of sunset glow Dreaming she seemed to lean, Dreaming a wild-wood dream, The wood's wild daughter.

She seemed to smile, then weep, Then lift, then bow her head, Deep with its golden hair, Sad as some maiden Who loveless falls asleep, Her eyes to sorrow wed, Her cheeks as wild flowers fair With dewdrops laden.

I heard the streamlet moan; I heard the wood-wind wail; I heard the forest sob: "Summer is dying!" Whiter she lay than stone, And down each dell and dale I heard the wild heart-throb Of Nature sighing:—

"Come back!—Oh, art thou dead, Thou, thou my sweetest child? Come back with all thy flowers!"—But naught she heeded, Lying with wild-flowered head In beauty undefiled, While 'round her sad the Hours Bowed down and pleaded.

Then through the woodland there, With ribbons flying gay, Mocking at Summer's death With laughter hollow, Tossing her gipsy hair, In Romany array, Autumn, all wild of breath, Cried, "Follow! follow!"