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AN AUTUMN VISION

October 31, 1889

October

 Ζεφύρου γίγαντος αὔρᾳ

I

Is it Midsummer here in the heavens that illumine October on earth?

Can the year, when his heart is fulfilled with desire of the days of his mirth,

Redeem them, recall, or remember?

For a memory recalling the rapture of earth, and redeeming the sky,

Shines down from the heights to the depths: will the watchword of dawn be July

When to-morrow acclaims November?

The stern salutation of sorrow to death or repentance to shame

Was all that the season was wont to accord her of grace or acclaim;

No lightnings of love and of laughter.

But here, in the laugh of the loud west wind from around and above,

In the flash of the waters beneath him, what sound or what light but of love

Rings round him or leaps forth after?

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II

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