Class 6 English4.8 An Autumn GreetingsA short poetic appreciation

4.8 An Autumn Greetings

Class 6 English

4.8 An Autumn Greetings

A short poetic appreciation of the poem

“Come, little leaves,’’ 

Said the wind one day,

 “Come over the meadows 

With me, and play;

 Put on your dresses

 Of red and gold; 

Summer is gone, 

And the days grow cold.’’ 

Soon as the leaves

 Heard the wind’s loud call, 

Down they came fluttering,

 One and all; 

Over the meadows 

They danced and flew, 

Singing the soft 

Little songs they knew.

 Dancing and flying 

The little leaves went; 

Winter had called them 

And they were content

 Soon fast asleep

 In their earthy beds,

 The snow laid a soft mantle 

Over their heads.

By - George Cooper

Answer: 

George Cooper’s An Autumn Greeting beautifully captures the enchanting transition from summer to autumn, personifying the leaves as joyful dancers responding to the wind’s call. The poem’s gentle rhythm and imagery evoke a sense of warmth and nostalgia, despite the encroaching cold. 

The Rhyming scheme of the poem  AABB.

George Cooper’s An Autumn Greeting uses several figures of speech to enhance its imagery and rhythm. Here are the main ones:

A)Personification – The leaves, wind, and winter are given human-like qualities:

1."Come, little leaves," Said the wind one day (The wind is speaking like a person.)

2."Winter had called them, And they were content" (Winter is given the ability to call.)

B)Imagery – The poem vividly describes autumn with visual and tactile images:

1."Put on your dresses Of red and gold" (Creates a mental picture of colorful leaves.)

2."The snow laid a soft mantle Over their heads" (Evokes a sense of quiet and rest.)

C)Alliteration – The repetition of consonant sounds adds musicality:

1."Dancing and flying The little leaves went" (Repetition of ‘L’ sound.)

2."Soon as the leaves Heard the wind’s loud call" (Repetition of ‘L’ and ‘W’ sounds.)

D) Metaphor – Implicit comparisons enhance meaning:

1."The snow laid a soft mantle Over their heads" (Snow is compared to a blanket, symbolizing protection and rest.)

E) Symbolism – The changing seasons represent the cycle of life:

1.The falling leaves symbolize change and the passage of time.

2.The snow covering the leaves represents rest and the transition into winter.

These literary devices give the poem a rhythmic, musical quality and deepen its emotional impact.