Dakota Beacon

Autumn! My favorite time of year! In my own egocentric way, I can picture Autumn being created just for me! Crisp morning air, the aroma of burning grass and leaves, honking geese overhead -- all of this is a grand introduction to the Holiday season ahead. Stanzas excerpted from a few autumn poems will get you in the mood.

            “When the Frost Is on the Punkin”

When the frost is on the punkin’

            and the fodder’s in the shock,

And you hear the kynouck and gobble

            of the struttin’ turkey-cock,

And the clackin’ of the guineys,

            and the cluckin’ of the hens,

And the rooster’s hallylooyer

            as he tiptoes on the fence;

Oh, it’s then’s the times a feller

            is a-feelin’ at his best,

With the risin’ sun to greet him

            from a night of peaceful rest,

As he leaves the house bareheaded,

            and goes out to feed the stock,

When the frost is on the punkin

            and the fodder’s in the shock.

                                    -- James Whitcomb Riley

            Another classic Riley poem became immensely popular. Millions of people adored the poem “Little Orphant Annie.” This poem captures the sentiment of autumn masterfully. It conjures up specters of cool nights and the approaching of Halloween.

            “Little Orphant Annie”

Little Orphant Annie’s

            come to our house to stay,

An” wash the cup an’ saucers up,

            and brush the crumbs away,

An’ shoo the chickens off the porch,

            an’ dust the hearth, an’ sweep,

An’ make the fire, an’ bake the bread,

            an’ earn her board-an-keep;

An’ all us other children,

            when the supper things is done,

We set around the kitchen fire

            an’ has the mostest fun

A-list’nin to the witch-tales

            ‘at Annie tells about,

An’ the Gobble-uns ‘at gits you

            Ef you don’t watch out!

                                    -- James Whitcomb Riley

            “Autumn”

The morns are meeker than they were,

The nuts are getting brown;

The berry’s cheek is plumper,

The rose is out of town.

The maple wears a gayer scarf,

The field a scarlet gown.

Lest I should be old-fashioned,

I’ll put a trinket on.

                                    -- Emily Dickinson

            “October’s Bright Blue Weather”

When on the ground red apples lie

            In piles like jewels shining,

And redder still on old stone walls

            Are leaves of woodbine twining;

When comrades seek sweet country haunts,

            By twos and twos together,

And count like misers, hour by hour,

            October’s bright blue weather.

O sun and skies and clouds of June,

            Count all your boasts together,

Love loveth best of all the year

            October’s bright blue weather,

                                    -- Helen Hunt Jackson

Happy Autumn everyone!

Dennis M. Patrick can be contacted at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).