The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-28
THE CHANGING SEASON.

1t is a popularity of poems on spring that
they are invariably based on the phenom-
ena- of rural life, though they are as often
produced by denizens of the town as of the
country. The versifers sing of birds and
bees and bursting buds. of springing flow
ers, of the charm of field and forest and
stream as winter says farewell. These are
the tokens by which the season of growth
has so long been known to literature that
those who are moved by occult influences
to sound its praise evidently believe that it
is only by using the time-worn properties"
that they can properly express their senti-
ments or describe the vernal period. But
whatever he may say or think, the urban
poet does not get his inspiration from birds
or flowers. 1t is true that he may see the
grass grow green on cleanly-shaven lawns,
blossoms of the maple, and he may. by
chance, catch sight of a daring robin, but
as little as one swallow makes a summer
does one robin make a spring. What does
the poet know, as he travels over asphalt
streets, Of the pungent odor of the freshly
plowed field, or Of the faint perfume of the
forest when its myriad forms Of life begin
to stir? What does he know OF the swiftly
changing tints hat como upon fields and
hills and woods as vegetation advances and
the wonder of growth Is seen in its broad
effect? What does he know. even by closer
observation of plant life, when the vagrant
weed is not found in his path and his spring
.lo- -loo.O It - tns,a
that the poet, if he is a wheelman, may
wander far beyond the paved thoroughfare,
but whoever knew a cycler who looked to
the right or TO the left, or who considered
aught but his vehicle when he takes his
way abroad? But, though his verses are
conventional. the thought is suggested by
signs as marked as those offered by nature.
The town has its own tokens of spring
apart from the robin, the crocus and the
blueness of the skies. There is the bicycle
itself, which energies from its winter quar-
tiers on the first sunny day. There is, of
course. the perennial wheel. which is in evil
dence always, winter and summer, but
spring is it's distinctive season. the time
when an army of new enthusiasts joins the
veteran forces. The observer whose senses
are awake to what goes on about him be-
comes aware of many things unnoted by
the d~ulI-witted. Long before the Easter
hat comes upon the scene he is dimly aware
of a freshening up of the winter garments
suddenly made to seem shabby by the too
searching sunshine. There is an Eruption
OF violets on hats and gowns-not the gem
uine article. but an imitation nat answers
the furnishing purpose fairly well. Florists
windows bloom out in a night with masses
of yellow daffodils and white lilies. The
tan shoe makes an occasional venture into
the streets and the shirt waist fiaunts itself
I'm the shops. The merry advertiser occu-
pies much space in declaring the merits Of
spring outfits of every sort. from clothing
TO patent medicine, and. Growing proof of
all that spring has come. is the swift adj
vent OF summer temperature, with the re-
sultant tired feeling" None Of these indi-
cations OF the change OF season may be