Gone Is Summer
Explore the seasons of life and find hope through Howard Carleton Tripp’s poetry.
Updated January 5, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer
Life’s journey is often compared to the changing seasons, with each one bringing its own challenges and beauty. In Gone Is Summer, Howard Carleton Tripp uses the imagery of nature to remind us of life’s cycles remind us of life’s cycles of growth, rest, and renewal.
The poem beautifully captures the inevitability of life’s transitions, from the joy of childhood to the wisdom of age, and ultimately, the promise of a new beginning beyond this earthly life. It’s a heartfelt reflection on how even the coldest winters of life carry the hope of spring.
Gone Is Summer
Now the dreary winds may blow
Gone are all the summer hours,
And the chilling sleet and snow
Shrouds the sepulchre of flowers;
But the spring will come again,
And will wake to life once more
All the blossoms in the glen,
All the wavelets on the shore.
Thus is life: its stormy hours
Strengthen us for weal or woe;
And the summer's sun and showers
Yield to winter's ice and snow;
But when childhood's spring has fled
Summer gives her wealth of bloom,
While man's autumn soon is wed
To his winter's shrouded tomb.
But death's spring-time may appear
At the resurrection morn;
And the kind deeds we've done here
Be as blossoms newly born.
Then no more the winds shall blow,
Gone shall be life's trying hours;
And November's sleet and snow
Shall not blight the Eden flowers.
Key Message from this poem:
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Seasons of Life Mirror Nature
Just as the seasons change, so do the stages of our lives. Winter may seem harsh with its cold winds and snow, but it strengthens us for brighter days ahead. Similarly, the storms we face in life, whether challenges or heartaches - prepare us to appreciate the blessings that follow. These trials shape our character, just as winter paves the way for the renewal of spring.
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Life’s Transitions Lead to Renewal
Even though winter may shroud the beauty of summer, we hold on to the promise that spring will return. Life’s transitions are much the same; while we may face times of loss or difficulty, there is always hope for renewal and growth. Each season of life has its purpose, and the trials of one often lead to the blessings of another.
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Eternal Hope Beyond Life’s Storms
The poem reminds us that death is not the end but a gateway to eternal spring. Just as winter does not last forever, the storms of life give way to peace and joy beyond this world. The kind acts we do and the love we share on earth will bloom like beautiful flowers in the gardens of eternity, where the harshness of life’s struggles will be no more.
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Conclusion
Howard Carleton Tripp reminds us in Gone Is Summer that life keeps moving through seasons. Some days feel warm and full of bloom, and other days feel cold and heavy. Yet just as spring returns to the flowers, hope can return to our hearts. The storms we face can shape us, teach us, and help us grow stronger in faith and character.
And the poem points us to something even greater. It speaks of a morning when winter is gone for good, and new life begins. When we choose kindness, do what is right, and keep our trust in God, those good deeds are never wasted. They are like seeds that will bloom in a better season to come.
More Winter Poems To Inspire
When life feels like winter, remember this: spring is still on its way, and hope is still doing its work.