Franklin D'Olier Reeve

Here is a poem by American poet Franklin D'Olier Reeve, known as F. D. Reeve, (September 18, 1928 – June 28, 2013), American academic, writer, poet, Russian translator, and editor.

He was also the father of actor Christopher Reeve. Reeve published over two dozen books of poetry, fiction, criticism, and translation.

Autumn Song

September again.  In the rain the autumn leaves
   are brown like old bronze Chinese coins.
The students lust for experimental encounters
as if the future must burst from their loins.

Brave bold new women with long golden hair
who wish their beardless lovers true,
as you sit down to put your make-up on, remember
we all were once as young as you.

Handsome runners for the Olympic flame
   whom Pindar praised and Housman glorified
relent, lest youth be all-victorious
     and history die on the losing side.

Sweet scholars shivering at your desks,
   afraid you know less than we knew,
cite not our title but the fact:
       we all were once as young as you.

Despite the failures and mistakes,
   the cycle has compelling charms:
the old rewriting their lost books,
    the young asleep in each other’s arms.

And you who keep your own September,
   among the faces aren’t there a few
you recognize? On seeing them
  (like looking at childhood photographs)

don’t you say to yourself – Yes, I remember
        I was once as young as you.

F. D. Reeves [Poetry  September 1991]