Fall Trees - A Stroll Around Pendleton SC

While walking in the woods today,
I marveled at the bright array
Of autumn robes the trees had donned.
And, oh, how blue the sky beyond!
Could this be real, this fairyland
Of red and gold? And there I'd stand
Enraptured, far as eye could see,
At Mother Nature's artistry.

The maples wore rich gold brocade'
The oaks wore red, the balsams jade;
The stately elms in jasmine dressed,
As did the willows; and the rest
Were garbed in splendor, one and all,
For their majestic harvest ball.
And underneath, in their cool shade,
Wild asters, ferns and gentians played.

In verdant meadows, goldenrods
Were gently swaying' milkweed pods
Were sending forth their snowy down;
Pale flowerets trimmed each mullein crown.
Long rows of sumac, crimson-dyed,
Had set aflame the whole hillside.
Above wild geese in southward flight...
October's sun shone warm and bright.

Then sunset came. A velvet sky
Was tinted with a scarlet dye.
And o'er this red and gold and green
There came a stillness so serene,
As if all nature bowed its head
In worship. Then I knew who spread
This crown of glory o'er the land...
It was the Master's loving hand.