Ashes of Roses

Skies glooming overhead, Autumn winds sighing; Bare yonder garden bed, Flowers low lying. All their rich radiance fled, All their pale petals shed, Wan wraiths of Summer sped, In Autumn's closes; Crimson and cream and gold Strewn on earth's bosom cold, Mingling with umber mold— Ashes of roses.

See, in yon waning West Rich roses blowing On Heaven's palimpsest God's message glowing; Rose hues and amethyst Drenched in purpureate mist, Darkness with Day keeps tryst, Night's curtain closes; Quenched is the burning gold, Shadowed the upland wold, Day's fires grow dull and cold Ashes of roses.

So on this heart of mine Shadows are lying; Lotus and rue entwine, Dim dreams are dying; Stilled is the thrill divine, Spilled is the amber wine, Dimly the cold stars shine; Wan age discloses All youth's bright blossoms dead, All love's rare radiance sped, All hope's pure petals shed— Ashes of roses.