Summer Sunset

(Photos recently taken by Cassandra at her upstate New York farm...)

Sweet day of summer balm and rest,

Oh, stay thy flight!

Still wave, above yon mountain's crest,

Thy banners bright!

Still hold the portals of the west

Against the night!

Lo!  how the waving forest trees

Beckon they stay!

Hark, how the fragrant evening's breeze

Doth woo delay!

While thrushes plead across the leas,

Pass not away!

But though all nature join the cry,

Not yet - not yet!

Behind yon rocky rampart high

Thy sun will set!

Each bird will hush - each floweret's eye

With tears be wet!

E'en now beyond the purpling hill

Thy light hath past:

The woodland shadows, silent chill--

Are o'er me cast.

The while thou wingest, tireless till

Thou gild the east!

The Father knows we cannot bear

Unclouded light;

Therefore each perfect day must share

With darksome night --

Until He bring that dawning fair,

Eternal--bright!

~ George S. Dwight, from The Cool of the Day, 1892