Are you as excited as I am that tomorrow is the autumnal equinox? Last October I shared one of my favourite fall poems. Today I thought I’d feature another autumn poem that I’ve enjoyed since childhood. “Indian Summer” was written by William Wilfred Campbell (c.1860-1918), another Canadian poet. In fact he and Bliss Carman are both considered members of the Confederation Poets.
“Indian Summer”
Along the line of smoky hills
The crimson forest stands,
And all the day the blue-jay calls
Throughout the autumn lands.
Now by the brook the maple leans
With all his glory spread,
And all the sumachs on the hills
Have turned their green to red.
Now by great marshes wrapt in mist,
Or past some river’s mouth,
Throughout the long, still autumn day
Wild birds are flying south.
Publication
“Indian Summer” was published in Snowflakes and Sunbeams in 1888. You can find the entire volume here.
The following year “Indian Summer” was included in Lake Lyrics and Other Poems.
Archival Holdings
Documents related to William Wilfred Campbell can be found at the Queen’s University Archives and the University of Waterloo Archives & Special Collections.