Each year, autumn reigns supreme as a season of gratitude. Neighborhoods brighten with kaleidoscope colors that burnish and lacquer landscapes. (See my recent leaf-peeping through New England blog.) As October turns into November, shifting temperatures and early darkness ushers in nature's transition. I remain thankful, even with a forecast of snow and a nasty stomach bug.
November enters in glorious style, nestling into nature's bed.
It tucks itself among lustrous colors of burnt orange, mahogany, and granny smith apple
soon to fade with each shifting wind.
Feral cat senses change, cozily finds a napping area,
and cuddles on my patio bench.
Winter's frozen touch nears.
©CV, 2019
🍁🍃🍂
On the glorious splendor of your majesty and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
-Psalm 145:5
🙏
Give thanks for fall's seasonal gifts
coloring world
with love,
glee.
November comes
in peace.
See,
wonder, explore.
Find rest.
Be!
©CV, 2019
🍁🍃🍂
Now with thanks, I share J. Patrick Lewis, a masterful poet, Nature's Art Gallery zeno poem. Pat created this 10-line verse form with a repeating syllable of 8,4,2,1,4,2,1,4,2,1 and a rhyme scheme of abcdefgdghd. I humbly created a zeno above after many attempts.
"Gratitude is a practice, not a concept."
Practice being grateful this month. Notice, wonder, discover the joys of living.
🍁🍃🍂
Because I unsuspectedly got a stomach virus, I am combining my Spiritual Journey Thursday post hosted by Margaret Simon and Poetry Friday hosted by Irene Latham.
Abundant Autumn Gallery
November does come in peace, doesn't it? Even though there can be extremes in this month, our inner selves are preparing for holidays in the US. We think of happiness and gifts for others. I have fallen in love with the color and the sound of burnt-orange. I love seeing it here!
ReplyDeleteLinda, when I think of burnt orange I smell the aroma of a fall day, a woodsy type of scent, and childhood memories of leaves crackling in bonfires. Your thought made me think of days gone by and days to explore life this autumn. Thanks for enjoying the image of a peaceful November walking in glory and then letting go.
DeleteI love that rallying call for Be! So much beauty in autumn - thanks for sharing it with us. See you at NCTE! xo
ReplyDeleteIrene, I am so excited about NCTE but not ready because of the amount of travel I have this month. I will breathe in and out and just Be! See you soon.
Delete"November comes in peace." I love your zeno and we so need the reminder to "Find rest" and "Be" during this busy time. I love the image of the feral cat napping on your patio bench.
ReplyDeleteAnd this quote from your comment on Margaret's post is the best: "Ordinary saints understand what it takes to bring kindness into the world."
Enjoy every moment at NCTE! I'm not coming this year, but hoping to make it next year in Denver. I still remember fondly our time spent together last year in Houston.
And congrats on that new grandbaby on the way!
Ramona, it is such a pleasure to have you as a friend. I look forward to a meet-up in Denver next year. We can be travel companions and maybe roommates if my husband does not come along for the ride. November is my birthday month and each week I am either in a car or on a plane so I need to be at peace. Your words have centered me as I sit recuperating from a stomach virus. Sending you a hug and wishes for a week of thankful living.
DeleteThanks for the November loveliness this week. Hope you feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the good health wishes, Jama. I am better than yesterday but not totally well to go out in the cold. Thanks for joining me at the post when the weather sang of beautiful autumn days.
Delete"Novembering maples gold" is just right, at least for the beginning of our month. With the recent snows, our colors have faded, but I still remember! Sorry to hear of your stomach upset, Carol. Hope you are well very soon! Thanks for this fall beauty!
ReplyDeleteFall is such a gorgeous time of year that I just can't help taking photographs of the beauty. I was thrilled to find Pat Lewis' poem. He has allowed me to take poems to share so I sent him this one that I featured today and will go in the gallery. I'm sorry your colors have faded, Linda. Have a great weekend.
DeleteI see what you mean about both of us having autumn colors in mind today - this is very nice! Thanks for sharing, and I'm looking forward to seeing you at NCTE!
ReplyDeleteMatt, thanks for stopping by. I wrote Pat an email today to catch up with him and share the digital inspiration I created with his poem. Autumn is an easy season to brag about. See you at the get together for Lee Bennett Hopkins at NCTE.
DeleteLove these poems, Carol. The feral cat we feed has been making an extra stop for an extra meal all week. I think he knows he's going to need all the extra energy he can get. We had our first snow on Halloween, and snow number two is coming on Monday. We don't usually even get a snow until early December.
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining me Kimberly and sharing your feral cat story. We actually have a 2nd one now that is adorable but he runs away when we near. Stay warm. I am at the state capital for a state ed conference and it so cold with a dusting of snow. BRR!
DeleteHope you are better. I loved your zeno.
ReplyDeleteThere is still some burnt orange and burgundy lingering on trees around here, but we're readying for the harsh juxtaposition of the glory of the October to the solemnness of November and Remembrance day on November 11.
I finally got around to reading some more posts, Cheriee. Thanks for your well wishes. I am just started to feel better. Thanks for your comment on my zeno. After reading your post, I am ready to write a poem on my grandmother.
DeleteI'm sending applause your way, Carol, for blogging through a bug! I'm sure I would be in bed, grumbling and complaining. May you "find rest" and "Be!" :) Loved your zeno. :)
ReplyDeleteKaren, if I can tell you how many times I had to massage the words in that poem to move the way I wanted, I would run out of fingers. I am so glad that you enjoyed the poem that distracted me while I was trying to get rid of the bug.
DeleteThat admonition to just be still and rest really resonated with me. Loved it. :)
ReplyDeleteI am pleased that my words resonated with you. Just be still and rest this week!
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