Spring and Autumn is a collection of sonnets by Helen Hay Whitney, published in 1891. The sonnets explore the beauty of the changing seasons, from the joy of spring to the melancholy of autumn. The poems are written in a traditional form, with each sonnet consisting of fourteen lines of iambic pentameter. The collection begins with a sonnet about the joy of spring, with its promise of new life and beauty. The poet celebrates the birds, the flowers, and the sun, and the hope that comes with the season. The second sonnet is about the summer, with its warmth and abundance. The poet praises the beauty of the summer days, and the joy of being outdoors. The third sonnet is about the autumn, with its changing colors and cooler temperatures. The poet reflects on the sadness of the season, and the inevitability of death and decay. The fourth sonnet is about the winter, with its cold and darkness. The poet reflects on the loneliness of the season, and the need for comfort and warmth. The collection ends with a sonnet about the cycle of the seasons, and the beauty of life. The poet reflects on the joys and sorrows of life, and the hope that comes with each new season.
By Helen Hay Whitney · First published 1898 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Nature Writing