Gold and vermillion here bright colors run
Heralding retreat to duns and greys,
Marking sad surrendered summer’s sun
Whose low-slung flight now cast’s the land’s dispraise;
Leaves blush abashed, another bounty lost—
Mid-summers great green fortune lost in flame,
Pure verdant wonder that did fair hills gloss
Now pyrrhic plunder doomed to fallen shame!
Here still that final charge though brief was grand,
Though gilt and crimson splay upon the ground
As blood and treasure strewn on conquered land,
Stains sore the hearts of vanquished kings discrowned.
So kingdoms rise, so shall they meet their end;
The glory of new life shall life defend.

© Loubert S Suddaby. All Rights Reserved.