RETURN

EARLY IS THE EVENING;
RELUCTANT THE DAWN;
ONCE THERE WAS SUMMER;
SUDDENLY, IT WAS GONE.
IT FELL LIKE A LEAF,
WHIRLED DOWNSTREAM,
WAS THERE EVER SUMMER,
OR ONLY A DREAM?
WAS EVER A WORLD ,
THAT WAS NOT NOVEMBER?
ONCE THERE WAS SUMMER
AND THIS I REMEMBER

CORNFLOWERS AND DAISIES,
BUTTERCUPS AND CLOVER,
BLACK-EYED SUSANS,
AND QUEEN ANNE'S LACE.
A WIDE GREEN MEADOW,
And BEES BOOMING OVER,
AND A LITTLE GIRL LAUGHING
WITH THE WIND IN HER FACE.

STRIDENT ARE THE VIDES
AND HARD LIGHTS SHINE;
FERAL ARE THE FACES;
IS ONE OF THEM MINE?
SOMETHING IS LOST NOW;
TARNISHED THE GLEAM;
WAS THERE EVER NOBLENESS
OR ONLY A DREAM?
YES, AND IT LINGERS,
LOST NOT YET;
SOMETHING REMAINS
TILL THIS I FORGET.

CORNFLOWERS AND CLOVER,
BUTTERCUPS AND DAISIES,
BLACK-EYED SUSANS UNDER
BLUE AND WHITE SKIES;
AND THE GRASS WAIST HIGH
WHERE THE RED COW GRAZES,
AND A LITTLE LAUGHING GIRL
WITH FAITH IN HER EYES.

Selected From the POEMS OF OGDEN NASH