S3 E11: Autumn Fires by Robert Louis Stevenson

With “Autumn Fires,” Stevenson takes his readers on a journey through the changing season, utilizing descriptive language and evocative imagery to capture their imagination. The poem’s brevity allows for a focused exploration of the transient nature of life and the beauty found within it.

AUTUMN FIRES
by Robert Louis Stevenson

In the other gardens
And all up the vale,
From the autumn bonfires
See the smoke trail!

Pleasant summer over
And all the summer flowers,
The red fire blazes,
The gray smoke towers.

Sing a song of seasons!
Something bright in all!
Flowers in the summer,
Fires in the fall!
***
“Autumn Fire” appears in Robert Louis Stevenson‘s 1885 collection, A Child’s Garden of Verses.

The simplicity of language and syntax found in the short lines of “Autumn Fires” is characteristic of Stevenson’s poetry. This style is commonly seen in his poems, as he often crafted his verses with young audiences in mind.

His ability to create concise and captivating poems that hold the reader’s attention is evident in this piece. Through his straightforward yet powerful use of language, he creates a poem that resonates with readers of all ages and reminds us of the importance of appreciating the fleeting beauty of existence.

Location: Vancouver Seawall, British Columbia
Photograph & Voice by Rebecca Budd
Music by Benjamin Kling “Like Clockwork” Epidemic Sound
https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/uq38LkIbas/