AUTUMN AT THE BRIDGE

By Cale Young Rice

Brown dropping of leaves,

Soft rush of the wind,

Slow searing of sheaves

On the hill;

Green plunging of frogs,

Cool lisp of the brook,

Far barking of dogs

At the mill;

Hot hanging of clouds,

High poise of the hawk,

Flush laughter of crowds

From the Ridge;

Nut-falling, quail-calling,

Wheel-rumbling, bee-mumbling —

Oh, sadness, gladness, madness,

Of an autumn day at the bridge!