SEPTEMBER

BY HELEN HUNT JACKSON

Helen Fiske Hunt Jackson (1831–1885): An American poet and prose author of much merit, whose writings appeared under the pen name of “H. H.” Among her books are “Bits of Travel,” “A Century of Dishonor,” and “Ramona.”

1. The golden-rod is yellow;

The corn is turning brown;

The trees in apple orchards

With fruit are bending down.2. The gentian’s bluest fringes

Are curling in the sun;

In dusky pods the milkweed

Its hidden silk has spun.

3. Theflaun their harvest

In every meadow-nook ;

And asters by the brookside

Make asters in the brook.

4. From dewy lanes at morning

The grapes’ sweet odors rise;

At noon the roads all flutte

With yellow butterflies

5. By all these lovelytokens

September days are here,

With summer’s best of weather,

And autumn’s best of cheer.

1.Which of the flowers named in this poem have you seen

2.At your home do these flowers bloom in September, or earlier, or later?

3.Can you name any other tokens of the coming of September?