The American poet Edgar Albert Guest lived from 1881 until 1959. In this poem, he describes the month of June in his experience. See if it sounds like the Junes you have known.
by Edgar Albert Guest
June is here, the month of roses, month of brides and month of bees,
June is here, the month of roses, month of brides and month of bees,
Weaving garlands for our lassies, whispering love songs in the trees,
Painting scenes of gorgeous splendor, canvases no man could brush,
Changing scenes from early morning till the sunset's crimson flush.
June is here, the month of blossoms, month of roses white and red,
Wet with dew and perfume-laden, nodding wheresoe'er we tread;
Come the bees to gather honey, all the lazy afternoon;
Flowers and lassies, men and meadows, love alike the month of June.
Month of love and month of sunshine, month of happiness and song,
Month that cheers the sad wayfarer as he plods the road along;
Spreading out a velvet carpet, green and yellow, for his feet,
And affording for his rest hours many a cool and sweet retreat.
Changing scenes from early morning till the sunset's crimson flush.
June is here, the month of blossoms, month of roses white and red,
Wet with dew and perfume-laden, nodding wheresoe'er we tread;
Come the bees to gather honey, all the lazy afternoon;
Flowers and lassies, men and meadows, love alike the month of June.
Month of love and month of sunshine, month of happiness and song,
Month that cheers the sad wayfarer as he plods the road along;
Spreading out a velvet carpet, green and yellow, for his feet,
And affording for his rest hours many a cool and sweet retreat.
This is a gentle and happy evocation of June, the way I would always like it to be and to remember it.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. It is a reflection of the times he lived in and the Junes of his experience.
DeleteThere is a great deal of truth in this poem, Dorothy. At times June is a lovely month, and where I live the oppressive heat of July and August still only lurks in the wings. I wish I heard more bees, though.
ReplyDeleteJune is (mostly) a pleasant month here near the Gulf Coast, too. Although things are already beginning to heat up, as you indicate the "real" heat hasn't quite arrived yet. It's still possible to enjoy time outside without having one's clothes soaked with sweat.
DeleteIt reads like a song. :D
ReplyDeleteI think most of Guest's poems have that quality because of the rhyming structure that he employs.
DeleteYes, to the blooming roses, especially the ones with fragrance. Yes to the moderate temperatures (at least right now). I echo David with wishing I was seeing more bees. I, too, like his rhyming structure. It makes me want to sing my response.
ReplyDeleteMy "Julia Child" (yellow) and "Belinda's Dream" (pink) roses have been blooming their hearts out in my backyard. Neither of them are especially notable for their fragrance although they do smell a bit "rosy." When we first moved here many years ago, I frequently encountered bee visitors to the yard; I almost never do anymore.
DeleteI concur June is a pretty nice month here on the prairies & foothills. A bit of both sun & rain but nature all around is busy. lol. A nice poem.
ReplyDeleteThe poem seems to me to be an apt description of the month.
DeleteI do not know a lot about poetry and it honestly is hard for me because sometimes I just don't 'get it' and poetry makes me feel really stupid. But this one is lovely and makes me think of summers when I was a child.
ReplyDeleteI think Guest's poems are pretty easy for readers to "get" and that is likely why they are so popular!
Delete