12 NOVEMBER

The leaves are fading and falling;

The winds are rough and wild;

The birds have ceased their calling —

But let me tell you, my child,

Though day by day, as it closes,

Doth darker and colder grow,

The roots of the bright red roses

Will keep alive in the snow.

And when the winter is over,

The boughs will get new leaves,

The quail come back to the clover,

And the swallow back to the eaves.

The robin will wear on his bosom

A vest that is bright and new,

And the loveliest wayside blossom

Will shine with the sun and dew.

The leaves today are whirling;

The brooks are all dry and dumb —

But let me tell you, my darling,

The spring will be sure to come.

There must be rough, cold weather,

And winds and rains so wild;

Not all good things together

Come to us here, my child.

So, when some dear joy loses

Its beauteous summer glow,

Think how the roots of the roses

Are kept alive in the snow.

( Alice Cary )

The Author

Alice Cary (1820-1871), an American poet, was born in Cincinnati. She and her sister, Phoebe, wrote many beautiful poems and sketches. They removed to New York City and lived together there. “November” is one of Alice Cary’s most widely known poems.

Word list

ceased : stopped

eaves : the edge of a roof

You Practice

Answer the following questions.

1) What signs of autumn are mentioned in the first stanza

2) What sign of coming winter are mentioned in the second stanza?

3) Where have the birds gone?

4) What will happen when winter is over?

5) What can we learn by reading this poem?