CREATIVE REFRESHMENT
“Merry Autumn” by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Oh, the joy of leaves!
“Merry Autumn” by Paul Laurence Dunbar*
It’s all a farce, — these tales they tell About the breezes sighing, And moans astir o’er field and dell, Because the year is dying.
Such principles are most absurd, — I care not who first taught ’em; There’s nothing known to beast or bird To make a solemn autumn.
In solemn times, when grief holds sway With countenance distressing, You’ll note the more of black and gray Will then be used in dressing.
Now purple tints are all around; The sky is blue and mellow; And e’en the grasses turn the ground From modest green to yellow.
The seed burs all with laughter crack On featherweed and jimson; And leaves that should be dressed in black Are all decked out in crimson.
A butterfly goes winging by; A singing bird comes after; And Nature, all from earth to sky, Is bubbling o’er with laughter.
The ripples wimple on the rills, Like sparkling little lasses; The sunlight runs along the hills, And laughs among the grasses.
The earth is just so full of fun It really can’t contain it; And streams of mirth so freely run The heavens seem to rain it.
Don’t talk to me of solemn days In autumn’s time of splendor, Because the sun shows fewer rays, And these grow slant and slender.
Why, it’s the climax of the year, — The highest time of living! — Till naturally its bursting cheer Just melts into thanksgiving.
“Born on June 27, 1872, Paul Laurence Dunbar was one of the first African American poets to gain national recognition.”
And, poor chap, he is yet another of the classic poets to die too soon of tuberculosis.
See also John Keats who died aged twenty-five.
My own creativity is always refreshed by reading the creative works of others — especially some of the classic poems, knowing they were written in a different world at a different time, with a different mindset.
*This poem is in the public domain. Stuff you need to know about the use of other people’s work.
Bliss Carman:
My favourite classic poem:
Yes, it’s definitely autumn!
Stuff you need to know about the use of other people’s work:
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