October Afternoon

The air is warm and winey-sweet,

Over my head the oak-leaves shine

Like rich Madeira, glossy brown,

Or garnet red, like old Port wine.

Wild grapes are ripening on the hill,

Dead leaves curl thickly at my feet,

Yet not one falls, it is so still.

Crickets are singing in the sun,

And aimlessly grasshoppers leap

From discontent to discontent,

Their days of leaping nearly done.

There's a rich quietness of earth

That holds no promise any more,

And like a cup, Today is filled

With the last wine the year shall pour.