Some dear, dear friends ask us to come
To have a cookout -- relished with fun --
And see old Autumns's grand display
'Long the Tennessee's back-water-way.
From cliffs above those tinted lakes,
Saw mallard hens and courting drakes
Swim at the edge of paradise--
Transfigured there, right before our eyes.
And beyond the lakes, 'neath western sun,
More Autumn exhibitions hung,
Depicting color, and design,
Out-ranking efforts of mankind.
Then at sunset on the Tennessee
We stood at awe, and we gazed with glee
At paintings worth "ten-thousand grand",
As night walked off with them in hand.