Popular Poem Categories:
Occasion & Holiday Poems:
Make Me Mellow
This poem is filled with wisdom about how to live. Using the seasons of the year as an analogy, Douglas Malloch reflects on aging, kindness, and the lessons that come with time. He reminds us that while youth may fade, wisdom can grow, and a caring heart can become even more valuable. May these verses encourage you to reflect on the person you are becoming and the kindness you offer to others.
Updated August 6, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.
Make Me Mellow
Poet: Douglas Malloch
Some would have Spring within the heart,
But I, some mellow month in mine
Like old October: flowers depart,
And even youth must resign -
But always, brothers, there are some
To whom no Winters ever come:
Always October skies are theirs,
Even amid life's wintry cares.
And I would have my soul look the same:
I cannot keep the look of youth,
But how October maples flame -
Age takes our beauty, gives us truth,
Age takes our wit, and makes us wise,
Age gives us life's October skies
And old October's mellower days,
A better time a thousand ways.
God make me mellow! Make me not
Sudden as Summer, brief as Spring.
I would not blow too cold, too hot,
I would keep kind through ev'rything.
I may give others less than flow'rs
Of flattery, but in their hours
Of grief, of trouble and of need
May I bring rather fruits to feed.
Key Reflections In This Poem
-
Age Can Bring Wisdom
Douglas Malloch reminds us that growing older may change our appearance, but it can also deepen our understanding. With time, we often see life more clearly and learn what truly matters.
-
Kindness Matters In Every Season
The poem encourages us to remain kind through every stage of life. No matter what changes around us, a gentle and caring spirit can still bring comfort to others.
-
Maturity Can Be A Gift
Malloch compares aging to the mellow beauty of October. He shows that later years can hold their own beauty, with more patience, truth, and calm than we may have had in youth.
-
Be Steady Through Life's Changes
The poet asks not to be too sudden, too cold, or too hot. His words remind us to live with balance and to respond to life with patience rather than reacting too quickly.
-
Help Others In Times Of Need
The poem places more value on useful kindness than on empty praise. A thoughtful act during grief or trouble can mean far more than flattering words.
-
Let Your Life Become More Meaningful
As the years pass, we have the opportunity to become wiser, kinder, and more helpful. The poem encourages us to use what we have learned to bring comfort and strength to others.
Popular Pages
If this poem encouraged you to grow wiser, kinder, and more thoughtful with each passing year, these popular pages offer more inspiration for every season of life.
Explore Poems About The Seasons and discover how each season reflects life's changing journey and the lessons it brings.
Read Poems About Life for encouraging verses that remind us to grow, persevere, and appreciate each day we are given.
Visit Poems On Aging for thoughtful poems that celebrate growing older with wisdom, gratitude, and grace.
Find encouragement in these Quotes About Helping Others that remind us how simple acts of kindness can make a lasting difference.
Read our Kindness Poems collection for uplifting verses that encourage compassion, generosity, and caring for others every day.
Enjoy October Poems that celebrate the beauty, peace, and quiet wisdom found in the autumn season.
Discover more Famous Poems that have inspired readers for generations with timeless messages about life, wisdom, and character.
Conclusion
Make Me Mellow reminds us that life is not only about staying young but about growing into someone who is wiser, kinder, and more thoughtful. Douglas Malloch encourages us to welcome the lessons that come with the passing years and to value character more than appearance.
Like the beauty of October, our lives can become richer as we gain experience and learn to care more deeply for others. May this poem inspire you to live with patience, offer kindness freely, and use the wisdom you have gained to encourage those around you. Those are the qualities that make a life truly meaningful.
More Famous Poems About The Seasons