Poems (Allen)/When the Leaves are turning brown

by Elizabeth Chase Allen

WHEN THE LEAVES ARE TURNING BROWN.

EVER is my heart so gay
In the budding month of May,
 Never does it beat a tune
 Half so sweet in bloomy June,
Never knows such happiness
As on such a day as this,
 When October dons her crown,
 And the leaves are turning brown.

Breathe, sweet children, soft regrets
For the vanished violets;
 Sing, young lovers, the delights
 Of the golden summer nights;—
Never in the sunnier hours
On my way such radiance showers
 As from heaven falls softly down,
 When the leaves are turning brown.

Braid your girdles, fresh and gay,
Children, in the bloom of May;
 Twist your chaplets in young June,
 Maidens,—they will fade full soon;
Twine ripe roses, July-red,
Lovers, for the dear one's head;—
 I will weave my richer crown
 When the leaves are turning brown!