Six Ways of Looking at Autumn

It is officially the start of Autumn and I agree with author Elizabeth Lawrence. "Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn". I love decorating the inside and outside of my house in autumnal hues. Then sitting back to admire nature's blessing the earth in Crayola tones.

This month, the Poetry Sisters invited writers to join their September writing challenge by "wandering through" Wallace Stevens' Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird. Using the mentor text, writers were to look deeply at something differently and compose a poem maybe not in 13 ways - maybe in 6  ways with the tab #PoetryPals.  

Autumn pushes me to notice small objects that create a picture for an artist's touch. The leaves are changing; I feel poetry in the air. (Laura Jaworski) What did I see the past two week? Brown leaves make crunching noises, raindrops soak the earth, and birds fly across the sky heading for feeders in yards. I now feel ready to write.

September Leaves photo

Six Ways of Looking at Autumn

Beyond the stretch of grass and trees,

Autumn arrives with crunching leaves

Strutting through woods and crowded weeds.

Over garden beds, bees buzz and whirl.

Sunshine peeks between the clouds. Birds twirl

Poking and picking seeds that unfurl.

Ornamental grass circles gardens,

Adorning beds with purple garlands.

Fall offers beautiful bargains.

Bunnies and deers pause, taste, and munch.

My delicate plants become lunch. 

Autumn sends its breeze and such.

My eyes travel with quiet control,

Watching nature's glamorous stroll. 

Autumn touches each heartfelt soul.

The season of splendor is ablaze

With leafed hues that truly amaze.

Autumn embraces life in many ways.

CVarsalona, 2024, draft

There are lessons I learned while quietly observing Autumn.

• Embrace change
• Let go to heal
• Allow nature's colors, sounds, and elements to bring joy

“There is a subtle magic in the falling of old leaves.” - Avijeet Das

 

The fabulous children's poet and author, Irene Latham, hosts the Poetry Friday Roundup. She has wonderful news about her new anthology also written by Charles Waters. You will also enjoy Irene's latest ArtSpeak poem.