Edward Capern was a British poet known for his unique blend of Romanticism and realism in his work. Born in 1819, Capern was raised in a rural environment, surrounded by the natural beauty of the English countryside. This experience shaped his sensibility and would become a central theme in his poetry, as he sought to capture the essence of nature and the rural way of life.

Capern was an admirer of the Romantic poets, such as William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, but he also drew inspiration from the works of John Clare, a contemporary poet known for his depictions of rural life. Capern's own poetry reflects this influence, as he wrote about the beauty and simplicity of rural life, often in a nostalgic and sentimental tone. He was particularly interested in the natural world and wrote about the changing seasons, the beauty of the countryside, and the night sky.

We’ll listen to a poem Capern wrote about Autumn, but first, let’s spend a moment talking about one of the best parts of Fall—the changing colors of leaves. Why do tree leaves change color? 

As the days grow shorter and temperatures begin to drop, trees start to withdraw nutrients from their leaves, in preparation for winter dormancy. This process causes the chlorophyll, which is responsible for giving leaves their green color, to break down. As the chlorophyll breaks down, the yellow and orange pigments in the leaves become more visible, giving the leaves their characteristic autumn hues.

The reason why leaves change color is not only due to the breakdown of chlorophyll, but also to the production of other pigments, such as carotenoids and anthocyanins. These pigments provide the brilliant red, orange, and yellow hues that are so characteristic of fall foliage. Some scientists believe that the production of these pigments is the tree's way of protecting itself from damage from the sun's rays during the winter months. Additionally, the bright colors of fall leaves may also serve as a way to attract animals to eat the fruit produced by the tree, thus aiding in seed dispersal and ensuring the continuation of the tree species. 

Regardless of the exact reasons, the changing colors of fall leaves is one of the most awe-inspiring annual performances.

Let’s listen to “An Autumn Invitation,” from Capern’s collection, Poems, and imagine a beautiful autumn walk in Capern’s English countryside.

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An Autumn Invitation by Edward Capern

Come out into the woodlands, love,

Before the trees are bare;

The woodlark singeth on the hill

His sweetly mellow air.

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A smile is seen on Autumn’s cheek,

As one who hath a store;

The bees are in the ivy-bloom,

Above the abbey door.

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Come out, before the dark days come,

With blasts and heavy rains:

Come out, before the winter binds

The earth in icy chains

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The air is soft as eider-down;

And brown October’s eye

Is looking out to woo thee forth

Beneath its sapphire sky.

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Bliss Carman was a Canadian poet born in 1861, in Fredericton, New Brunswick, but who spent most of his life living in the United States.

Carman attended university in Fredericton and later in Scotland, where he studied at the University of Edinburgh.

Carman’s formal verse explores spiritual and natural themes. His breakthrough book was a collaboration with American poet Richard Hovey titled Songs of Vagabondia, published in 1894. It was an immediate success. Vagabondia would be reprinted multiple times over the next 30 years, giving the two writers a newly-found following. The success of Vagabondia then prompted more interest in the previously published Low Tide on Grand Pré, which was published in 1893. In all, Carman was the author of over 50 volumes of poetry. Other notable works include Over the Wintry Threshold, published in 1913, Later Poems in 1926, as well as four essay collections, including Talks on Poetry and Life in 1926.

Carman's poetry was characterized by its romanticism, beauty, and simplicity. His work was widely read and appreciated in Canada and the United States. Carman's poems often celebrated nature and the beauty of the natural world, and he was known for his ability to capture the essence of the Canadian landscape.

Let’s listen to “At Sunrise,” and imagine an early morning.

At Sunrise by Bliss Carman

Now the stars have faded

In the purple chill,

Lo, the sun is kindling

On the eastern hill.

Tree by tree the forest

Takes the golden tinge,

As the shafts of glory

Pierce the summit's fringe.

Rock by rock the ledges

Take the rosy sheen,

As the tide of splendor

Floods the dark ravine.

Like a shining angel

At my cabin door,

Shod with hope and silence,

Day is come once more.

Then, as if in sorrow

That you are not here,

All his magic beauties

Gray and disappear.

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