|
MRS. HELEN A. RAINS
Mrs. Helen A. RAINS was born December 16, 1838 (sic), Rome, Ohio. Among the many publications to which this lady
has contributed might be mentioned Peterson's Magazine, Concinnati Weekly, Ladies' Repository, and
the Christian Standard. This lady was married in 1879 to George W. RAINS. She follows the profession of a
journalist, and now resides in Mt. Ayr, Iowa.
NOVEMBER
Tho'gone the charm that rendered days so fair
And night a marvel of bewitching grace,
A hunting spirit wtill controls the air,
And weaves its festoons in November's face,
From tree to tree the golden links prevail.
And swing their leafy pendants in mid-air.
While scattering flocks with one incessant tale,
Bemoan the fates that make their feasts so rare.
Soft, filmy lace upon the shurbs abound,
Upheld to catch the early morning mist,
So fine a texture cannot well be found
Whose braided gems the first sun-rays have kissed.
So still the day, so free from sound of strife,
I hear within the vale the ripples flow
Like low pulse-beats measuring out a life,
Anigh its close, so soft they come and go.
The leaves aflame with varied-colored hue
Drift lazily about us here and there
Like skiffs without an anchorage in view,
Some hidden fairy launched on the air.
It seems to me the year has dropt asleep
Within the arms of plenty, crowned with days
Of endless speech whose open records keep
The stamp of Him "to whom be all the praise."
Helen A. (BROWN) RAINS was born December 14, 1837, the daughter of Henry BROWN (1776-1861) and
Sophia or Seviah BROWN (1804-1884). She was married to George Washington RAINS (1837-1920), and the mother of George H.
RAINS, Jr. (1872-1950). Helen died on October 12, 1920 and was interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County,
Iowa.
SOURCE: HERRINGSHAW, Thomas William. Poets and Poetry of Iowa 1895.
Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2009
|
