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1871–1926

ON THE HILLSIDE

Francis Sherman

October's peace hath fallen on everything. In the far west, above the pine-crowned hill, With red and purple yet the heavens thrill — The passing of the sun remembering.

A crow sails by on heavy, flapping wing, ( In some land, surely the young Spring hath her will! ) Below, the little city lieth still; And on the river's breast the mist-wreaths cling.

Here, on this slope that yet hath known no plough, The cattle wander homeward slowly now; In shapeless clumps the ferns are brown and dead. Among the fir-trees dusk is swiftly born;

The maples will be desolate by morn. The last word of the summer hath been said.

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ON THE HILLSIDE · Francis Sherman · Poetry Cove