<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div dir="ltr"><span style="color: rgb(10, 10, 10); font-family: "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Merry Autumn</span><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div><div><br></div><div>by Paul Laurence Dunbar</div><div><br></div><div>It’s all a farce,—these tales they tell </div><div>About the breezes sighing,</div><div>And moans astir o’er field and dell, </div><div>Because the year is dying. </div><div><br></div><div>Such principles are most absurd,— </div><div>I care not who first taught ’em;</div><div>There’s nothing known to beast or bird </div><div>To make a solemn autumn. </div><div><br></div><div>In solemn times, when grief holds sway </div><div>With countenance distressing,</div><div>You’ll note the more of black and gray </div><div>Will then be used in dressing. </div><div><br></div><div>Now purple tints are all around; </div><div>The sky is blue and mellow;</div><div>And e’en the grasses turn the ground </div><div>From modest green to yellow. </div><div><br></div><div>The seed burrs all with laughter crack </div><div>On featherweed and jimson;</div><div>And leaves that should be dressed in black </div><div>Are all decked out in crimson. </div><div><br></div><div>A butterfly goes winging by; </div><div>A singing bird comes after;</div><div>And Nature, all from earth to sky, </div><div>Is bubbling o’er with laughter. </div><div><br></div><div>The ripples wimple on the rills, </div><div>Like sparkling little lasses;</div><div>The sunlight runs along the hills, </div><div>And laughs among the grasses. </div><div><br></div><div>The earth is just so full of fun </div><div>It really can’t contain it;</div><div>And streams of mirth so freely run </div><div>The heavens seem to rain it. </div><div><br></div><div>Don’t talk to me of solemn days </div><div>In autumn’s time of splendor,</div><div>Because the sun shows fewer rays, </div><div>And these grow slant and slender. </div><div><br></div><div>Why, it’s the climax of the year,— </div><div>The highest time of living!—</div><div>Till naturally its bursting cheer </div><div>Just melts into thanksgiving.</div></div><div><br></div>—————————————————<br><br><div dir="ltr"><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">http://www.MoscowCares.net</span></div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tom Hansen</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moscow, Idaho</span></div></div><div><br></div><div>“A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met.”</div><div>- Roy E. Stolworthy</div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>