As imperceptibly as grief

As imperceptibly as grief

The Summer lapsed away --

Too imperceptible, at last,

To seem like Perfidy --

A Quietness distilled

As Twilight long begun,

Or Nature spending with herself

Sequestered Afternoon --

The Dusk drew earlier in --

The morning foreign shone --

A courteous, yet harrowing Grace,

As Guest, that would be gone --

And thus, without a Wing

Or service of a Keel

Our Summer made her light escape

Into the Beautiful.