Red October

Red October, and the slow leaf sailing; All the maples flaring scarlet splendor, All the dogwoods glowing crimson glory, All the oak-leaves bronze, the beech-leaves golden:

Blue, ah blue! the reaches of the river, Blue the sky above the russet mountain, Blue the creek among the tawny marshes, Blue the tart wild-grape beside the hill-road:

At our feet the burnished chestnut shining; Scent of autumn, and the brown leaves’ rustle; Cloudy clematis among the brambles, Orange bittersweet along the wayside.

Days too-perfect, priceless for their passing, Colored with the light of evanescence, Fragrant with the breath of frailest beauty-- Days ineffable of red October!