Bright afterthought of summer,
Flame of the golden noon,
To us thou art as precious
As fragrant flowers of June.
Thy feathery plume, uplifted
To joyous skies above,
Bears message sure and tender
Of God's eternal love.
Beside the purple aster
Thou risest tall, serene,
A gentle, meek reminder
Of fairer flowers unseen—
The thoughts of Mind unfolding
Along the paths of time,
The paths that lead forever
To Love's far heights sublime.
