Hamlin Garland

Indian Summer

AT last there came
The sudden fall of frost, when Time
Dreaming through russet September days
Suddenly awoke, and lifting his head, strode
Swiftly forward--made one vast desolating sweep
Of his scythe, then, rapt with the glory
That burned under his feet, fell dreaming again.
And the clouds soared and the crickets sang
In the brief heat of noon; the corn,
So green, grew sere and dry--
  And in the mist the ploughman's team
  Moved silently, as if in dream--
And it was Indian summer on the plain.