If You Were Coming in the Fall

If you were coming in the fall

I'd brush the summer by

With half a smile and half a spurn

As housewives do a fly

If I could see you in a year

I'd wind the months in balls

And put them each in separate drawers

Until their time befalls

If only centuries delayed

I'd count them on my hand

Subtracting till my fingers dropped

Into Van Dieman's land

If certain, when this life was out

That yours and mine should be

I'd toss it yonder like a rind

And taste eternity

But now, all ignorant of the lengths of time

Uncertain wing, it goads me like

The goblin bee

That will not state its sting

If only centuries delayed

I'd count them on my hand

Subtracting till my fingers dropped

Into Van Diemen's land

If certain, when this life was out

That yours and mine should be

I'd toss it yonder like a rind

And taste eternity

If you were coming in the fall

I'd brush the summer by

With half a smile and half a spurn

As housewives do a fly

If only centuries delayed

I'd count them on my hand

Subtracting till my fingers dropped

Into Van Diemen's land

If certain, when this life was out

That yours and mine should be

I'd toss it yonder like a rind

And taste eternity

If you were coming in the fall

I'd brush the summer by

With half a smile and half a spurn

As housewives do a fly