I planted mums today
In dry crumbled dirt
Hoping that they are as hearty as I think
That they will take root before the winter
That seems so far away
In today’s rare October warmth
The winter that seems so distant
Even under the clouds that looked like rain
That for a moment, felt like spring
Which is when life becomes green
And hearts are happy
But it is autumn
When plumage falls to brown
Violated by the season
Leaving us bare
And naked
With just ourselves and the sound
Of brittle dream coats beneath our feet
When we are stripped of our embellishment
To find twisted bark full of knots and insects
In autumn we are left with just our bones to show
As we collect our skins and feathers from the ground
For a romp, as if to celebrate the shedding
Of such beautiful and heavy things
As for our bones
They will be set afire
To feed us through the winter.
In dry crumbled dirt
Hoping that they are as hearty as I think
That they will take root before the winter
That seems so far away
In today’s rare October warmth
The winter that seems so distant
Even under the clouds that looked like rain
That for a moment, felt like spring
Which is when life becomes green
And hearts are happy
But it is autumn
When plumage falls to brown
Violated by the season
Leaving us bare
And naked
With just ourselves and the sound
Of brittle dream coats beneath our feet
When we are stripped of our embellishment
To find twisted bark full of knots and insects
In autumn we are left with just our bones to show
As we collect our skins and feathers from the ground
For a romp, as if to celebrate the shedding
Of such beautiful and heavy things
As for our bones
They will be set afire
To feed us through the winter.
I loved the journey of this poem...it makes autumn sound so brutal and sad...and yet there is that planting that still takes place...the roots still seeking some depth.
ReplyDeletei love the atmosphere you create with your words...Leaving us bare
ReplyDeleteAnd naked
With just ourselves and the sound...are my favorite lines..that's what autumn does - stripping bare our souls..i really like your style of writing
Talon--yes, it can be brutal and sad and beautiful all at once. This is why I find it the most inspirational of seasons. It truly "sets my bones afire". Thank you for reading and I am glad that you found something in it. Also, thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. Feedaback really means alot.
ReplyDeleteClaudia-Again, thank you for your kind words. I am very appreciative that this poem and it's style spoke to you. This time of year, I spend many a night behind my house, warmed by the fire (and perhaps a bit of whiskey here and there) and take in the season. As the sun sets behind the bluff and peeks through the semi stripped branches I brace for the winter to come and embrace the simplicity of such moments.
gHello,
ReplyDeleteHow are you?
I invite you to join our poetry community at http://jinglepoetry.blogspot.com/,
It would be great for you to take a look at our playground, sign in to follow if you wish,
our major event is Monday Poetry Potluck, you are encouraged to link in one of your favorite poem, or write a poem over the weekend that is related to our theme, (week 6 is seven sins), hope to see you stop by, do let us know when you do and leave us a note so that one of our officials gets back to you....
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D.C.- what a journey you have written about!! awesomely done.. :)
ReplyDeletehow are you?
ReplyDeletewhat fantastic poetry blog here,
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