A Summer’s Day (Treading an Amusement Fair)

What flourished during lazy months

And turned the patron’s eyes– 

The sonorous chimes of joyous cries,

Where tumblers play their stunts;

Its scent was sugared butter

O, quite the change in pace;

From milder tea and biscuit case,

So frequent through the summer;

The railway turned and jerked about

And I grew rather frightened;

Though from their cars, enlightened

Rose those gleeful, glowing shouts;

At circus shows, bewitched to see

The throng may push and shove;

Though I had fallen quite in love

With pretty Columbine;

Above, embellished spires

Lay shade the raptured crowd;

And seemed to nearly speak aloud:

“Here, wondrous things are nigher”

The horses go forth round and round,

And little children laugh;

Those happy squeals–you’d hear but half,

Through brilliant organ sound;

Of flags that yet fly higher– 

Rich red with white and blue– 

The gentle breeze wakes vibrant hues,

And plays them through her lyre;

Once evening’s changed itself to night

And others leave the day;

Youth chatters glowing night away,

Beneath electric light;

At last, to turn away for now

And stop to cast a leer;

Betwixt the trees, atop the pier,

I gaze and so avow:

What flourished during summer, when– 

I walked the paths of mirth;

Sounds all the charms and cheers of earth;

I hope to tread again.