
Autumn Song by Edith Nesbit (1880)
The poem's narrator is invited to take a walk in the autumn woods, but declines, preferring to walk alone on the downs at night, where they can mourn the loss of spring and a past love.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1880 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Nature · 148 words
First lines
"Will you not walk the woods with me? The shafts of sunlight burn On many a golden-crested tree And many a russet fern.
The Summer's robe is dyed anew, And Autumn's veil of mist Is gemmed with little pearls of dew Where first we met and kissed."
"I will not walk the woodlands brown Where ghosts and mists are blown, But I will walk the lonely down And I will walk alone.
Where Night spreads out her mighty wing And dead days keep their tryst, There will I weep the woods of Spring Where first we met and kissed. "
What this Textopian page supports
Autumn Song is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edith Nesbit, dated 1880 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Edith Nesbit
- Date: 1880 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Nature, Drama
- Length: 148 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Autumn Song by Edith Nesbit
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Autumn Song?
- How does this poem by Edith Nesbit fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
Genres
- Poetry — The text is written in verse form, with a rhythmic structure and rhyme scheme typical of poetry.
- Romance — The text revolves around themes of love and longing, as evidenced by the repeated reference to a meeting and kiss.
- Nature — The text heavily features imagery of the natural world, including woods, seasons, and elements like mist and dew.
- Drama — The text presents a dramatic situation of love and loss, with a tone of melancholy and solitude.
Tags
Autumn · Family · Relationships · Marriage · Love · Romance · Tragedy · Drama · Victorian Era · Social Class · Wealth · Poverty
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