EVENING IN THE CANYON.

The sun’s last beams kiss the mountain side,

At which it blushes like a bride;

A soft wave, from the earth’s warm breast,

Stirs in the pines and sinks to rest.

Far off a straying lambkin bleats,

Which pitying Echo soft repeats;

Anear the querulous, strident cries

That tell of insect lullabies.

Then long, grey shadows take command

And beckon with mysterious hand

Till falls a deep, expectant hush,

And then—the song of a single thrush.

The flowers and grasses bow the head,

Like children when their prayer is said,

While I with heart and soul rejoice

That a perfect day hath found its voice.

—M. E. Dissette.