"Mellow Richness on the Clustered Trees" (2023)

The title of this piece comes directly from the poem, “Autumn” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Long adored, Longfellow’s illustrative narratives captivate and transfix. In the poem “Autumn” he beautifully captures in words, the colors, mood and spirit of this season; at the end, reminding us to pay attention and listen to the voice of the leaves. They have such eloquent things to teach us.

It’s been said that to Longfellow, Fall means change and wisdom, an end and a beginning. Though Longfellow has a knack for pointing out the melancholy in situations, he can break our hearts in the most wonderful way, I love the way he illustrates fall. He appreciates it, he loves it, he tries to learn from it.

His line, “it’s mellow richness on the clustered trees.” Refers to the “beautiful spirit breathing” which is Autumn.
___________

”With what a glory comes and goes the year!
The buds of spring, those beautiful harbingers
Of sunny skies and cloudless times, enjoy
Life's newness, and earth's garniture spread out;
And when the silver habit of the clouds
Comes down upon the autumn sun, and with
A sober gladness the old year takes up
His bright inheritance of golden fruits,
A pomp and pageant fill the splendid scene.

There is a beautiful spirit breathing now
Its mellow richness on the clustered trees,
And, from a beaker full of richest dyes,
Pouring new glory on the autumn woods,
And dipping in warm light the pillared clouds.
Morn on the mountain, like a summer bird,
Lifts up her purple wing, and in the vales
The gentle wind, a sweet and passionate wooer,
Kisses the blushing leaf, and stirs up life
Within the solemn woods of ash deep-crimsoned,
And silver beech, and maple yellow-leaved,
Where Autumn, like a faint old man, sits down
By the wayside a-weary….”

🔸I encourage you to read the whole poem if you have the time 💛