Summers Past

-Summers Past-

Where have you gone, sweet child of innocence, 

where once you gambolled through the summer phlox, 

laughter filling every presence, 

a golden sheen streaming through your ruddy locks. 

Twas only in the morn i saw the twinkle in your eye, 

and ne'er a vestige of twilight's doubt, 

but all that suns bright glory's passed you bye, 

and every light in you has gone out. 

Wild is the heart that sings the larks sweet chorus, 

redounding over dewy meadows dawn, 

but solemn, the owl calls all of us, 

down into the grave from whence we're born.

© Richard Michael Parker 2011