Autumn (Poem by Duncan Campbell Scott)

Autumn

(Song)

By Duncan Campbell Scott

Sing me a song of the autumn clear,

With the mellow days and the ruddy eves;

Sing me a song of the ending year,

        With the piled-up sheaves.

Sing me a song of the apple bowers,

Of the great grapes the vine-field yields,

Of the ripe peaches bright as flowers,

        And the rich hop-fields.

Sing me a song of the fallen mast,

Of the sharp odor the pomace sheds,

Of the purple beets left last

        In the garden beds.

Sing me a song of the toiling bees,

Of the long flight and the honey won,

Of the white hives under the apple-trees,

        In the hazy sun.

Sing me a song of the thyme and the sage,

Of sweet-marjoram in the garden gray,

Where goes my love Armitage

        Pulling the summer savory.

Sing me a song of the red deep,

The long glow the sun leaves,

Of the swallows taking a last sleep

        In the barn eaves.

Poem Analysis:

"Autumn" by Duncan Campbell Scott is a lyrical ode to the beauty and richness of the autumn season. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Scott captures the essence of autumn, celebrating its abundance and the transition from summer to winter.

Harvest Imagery: The poem begins with a call to "sing me a song of the autumn clear," inviting the reader to revel in the sights and sounds of the season. Scott paints a picture of the harvest, with "the mellow days and the ruddy eves" and "the piled-up sheaves," evoking images of fields filled with golden crops ready for harvest.

Abundance of Nature: Throughout the poem, Scott celebrates the abundance of nature during autumn. He sings of apple bowers, vineyards yielding great grapes, ripe peaches, and rich hop-fields. These images convey the bounty of the harvest season and the abundance of fruits and crops that characterize autumn.

Autumnal Fragrances: Scott also explores the sensory experience of autumn, describing the sharp odor of pomace from fallen mast, the aroma of ripe peaches and grapes, and the fragrance of herbs like thyme, sage, and sweet-marjoram. These scents evoke a sense of nostalgia and warmth associated with the season.

Natural Cycles: The poem reflects on the natural cycles of autumn, such as the toiling bees collecting honey, the swallows taking their last sleep in the barn eaves, and the long glow of the sun as it sets. These images highlight the rhythm of life and the changing of the seasons, as summer gives way to winter.

Human Presence in Nature: Amidst the celebration of nature, Scott also introduces human elements, such as the mention of Armitage pulling summer savory in the garden. This juxtaposition of human activity with the beauty of the natural world underscores the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature.

Overall, "Autumn" by Duncan Campbell Scott is a beautifully crafted poem that captures the essence of the season. Through its rich imagery and sensory descriptions, the poem invites the reader to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, and fragrances of autumn, celebrating its abundance and the beauty of the natural world.