The Fall

By William Barnes
The length o’ days ageän do shrink
   An’ flowers be thin in meäd, among
   The eegrass a-sheenèn bright, along
Brook upon brook, an’ brink by brink.

   Noo starlèns do rise in vlock on wing—
   Noo goocoo in nest-green leaves do sound—
   Noo swallows be now a-wheelèn round—
Dip after dip, an’ swing by swing.

   The wheat that did leätely rustle thick
   Is now up in mows that still be new,
   An’ yollow bevore the sky o’ blue—
Tip after tip, an’ rick by rick.

   While now I can walk a dusty mile
   I’ll teäke me a day, while days be clear,
   To vind a vew friends that still be dear,
Feäce after feäce, an’ smile by smile.



Source: Poets of the English Language (Viking Press, 1950)