Classic Poem

A FROST came overnight. Then all the day
The leaves fell groundward, fluttered down in shoals,
With sound of sober music, from the trees,
Until foot-farers plowed through russet waves
That rustled crisply, fresh with scents of earth;
All day the air was yellow with the flight.
The sun at noon was mystic-large and seemed
To faint in smoke, — but when it sank and set
It left the West a miracle, a place
Where somber autumn tints waked suddenly
Into an ecstasy of vivid lights
And trembling fires, that passed to mortal calms.
Then came the eve and with her lovely eyes
Soothed all the sunset passion, made the sky
A haunt for spirits and a home for stars.