Autumn Has Caught Us in Our Summer Wear

[at_b]

Autumn has caught us in our summer wear
Brother, and the day
Breathes coldly from fields far away
As white air.
We are cold at our feet, and cold at our throats,
Crouching, cold, deaf to the morning's half-notes.

See, over the fields are coming the girls from the Church,
Gathering the fruits
For their Harvest Festival; leaves, berries and roots
- Such is their search.
I do not think that we shall be
Troubled by their piety.

Tomorrow we shall hear their old bells ringing
For another year;
We shall achingcold be here
- Not singing.
Outside, the frost will bite, thaw then return;
Inside, the candle will burn.

-- Philip Larkin