14. Late Autumn
The fragrant autumn winds float painted leaves
Across the plains at sunset's evening hour,
A scarlet rose, a zinnia in the flower
Stand brilliant there beneath the cottage eaves.
The locust hums his song, the spider weaves
His silken web in every shady bower,
Where thunder clouds pile high in tumbled tower;
The farmer's loft is bursting with great sheaves;
And cornstalks bend with heavy golden loads,
For rains have blessed the land the summer long.
Now children trip on winding trails from school;
They swing in rhythmic time along the roads;
A hungry, hearty crowd, suntanned and strong.
This glorious fall day in evening cool.