Joel Benton

  • A Ball of fire shoots through the tamarack
    In scarlet splendor, on voluptuous wings;
    Delirious joy the pyrotechnist brings,
    Who marks for us high summer’s almanac.
    How instantly the red-coat hurtles back!
    No fiercer flame has flashed beneath the sky....

  • When the feud of hot and cold
        Leaves the autumn woodlands bare;
    When the year is getting old,
        And flowers are dead, and keen the air;

    When the crow has new concern,
        And early sounds his raucous note;
    And—where the late witch-hazels...

  • A ball of fire shoots through the tamarack
    In scarlet splendor, on voluptuous wings;
    Delirious joy the pyrotechnist brings,
    Who marks for us high summer’s almanac.
    How instantly the red-coat hurtles back!
    No fiercer flame has flashed beneath the sky....

  • His cherished woods are mute. The stream glides down
    The hill as when I knew it years ago;
    The dark, pine arbor with its priestly gown
    Stands hushed, as if our grief it still would show;
    The silver springs are cupless, and the flow
    Of friendly feet no more...