When the summer fields are mown,
When the birds are fledged and flown,
And the dry leaves strew the path;
With the falling of the snow,
With the cawing of the crow,
Once again the fields we mow
And gather in the aftermath.
Not the sweet, new grass with flowers
Is this harvesting of ours;
Not the upland clover bloom;
But the rowen mixed with weeds,
Tangled tufts from marsh and meads,
Where the poppy drops its seeds
In the silence and the gloom.
I think this is a beautiful poem! The word 'Aftermath, ' usually associated with tragic events, here has a second meeting-a second harvest that occurs when the fall harvest stirs the seeds around and causes new growth, weeks later, when winter is upon us. The rhyme scheme is pleasing, the images of tiny flowers among the underbrush are unexpected, and the message is that honest labor has its own rewards.
A wonderful poem embellished with superb imagery and a meaningful message.
summer fields, birds, snow, crow, poppy seeds harvesting and the aftermath all words are interlinked each to others. Nature changes itself thru the course of time; The harvest is the time when I reap what I sow and the aftermath is the consequences or after-effects of a significant unpleasant even. In this poem the snow falling, crow cawing and after harvesting time where people feel the scarcity of crops and grains with works. Very poignant poetic expression.
But the rowen mixed with weeds, Tangled tufts from marsh and meads, Where the poppy drops its seeds In the silence and the gloom. Very poetic. tony
Looking on my yard right now, I can relate to Longfellow's description and feeling. -GK
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
I love Longfellow he is by far my favorite poet :)