Grandfather was so courtly, wise and calm:
At times a sweet old wordling, dealing balm
Through business phrase or words of ancient psalm,
Justice and whimsical kindliness to all.
As he watched mankind, so in early Fall,
He watched his grape-vines on the stable wall.
In old Quebec the season is too brief
To ripen grapes well ... sometimes scarlet leaf
Becomes a herald swift beyond belief.
The few big clusters with pale purple bloom