Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.
III. The SeasonsDecember
Joel Benton (18321911)W
Leaves the autumn woodlands bare;
When the year is getting old,
And flowers are dead, and keen the air;
And early sounds his raucous note;
And—where the late witch-hazels burn—
The squirrel from a chuckling throat
And tilts upon a towering tree;
And, valiant, quick, and keenly thrilled,
Upstarts the tiny chickadee;
Too soon night’s shadows dun and gray
Brings on, and fields are drear and dark,
And summer birds have flown away,—
The sky’s chill prophecy I know;
And welcome the consummate art
Which weaves this spotless shroud of snow!