Friday, September 27, 2024

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.


19 comments:

  1. Carol, your love for autumn shines in this poem! "Nature's glamorous stroll" in those Crayola colors you mentioned...so so lovely. (Autumn is my favorite, too!) xo

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    1. Irene, Autumn is a marvelous season even when it rains. Thanks for adding your comments and sharing a love of nature's beauty in the fall. Have a wonderful Autumn day.

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  2. Carol, I love: Adorning beds with purple garlands. Fall offers beautiful bargains. You’ve made me appreciate today’s rainy, autumnal day.

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    1. Tracey, thanks for joining me and appreciating the rain. Virginia's weather has a canopy of gray and raindrops all over. It does not present as a negative in my eyes. This type of weather makes me want to be quiet and write.

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  3. So many beautiful images in your poem, Carol. I especially liked reading about the bunnies and deer :). Second to last stanza is my fave! Happy Fall!

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    1. Jama, thanks for stopping by. Sometimes, I think that people do not appreciate the changes of weather nor are thankful for the season.

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    2. Jama, thank you for commenting. I think the PF group are heartfelt souls and I am glad to be in a group that loves autumn.

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  4. Ooh, I'm here for the glorious Crayola shades and the beautiful fall bargains. What a lovely way to put it, Carol, thanks for sharing.

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    1. Each year's season of fall intrigues me, Tanita. As a child in upstate NY, I loved to swish through the season of Autumn. We called the favorable weather Indian summer days. Now, this time has become Second Summer that seems just right for 80 degree temperature days. Thanks for including me as a #PoetryPal this season.

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  5. Ooh Carol, another image of autumn -- this one strutting through woods and leaves. No splendiforous dress poised for a portrait. This time a model on the runway marching into us. And we are all eyes!

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    1. Patricia, Autumn was superb yesterday but added a twist again. Ran splattered all over as the clouds darkened the sky. But the weather gave me time to stay indoors and clean up the mess after the grandgirls' visit.

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  6. Sorry for those 'delicate plants', Carol, but nonetheless, your autumn love shines through! I love the idea of "beautiful bargains"! Happy Weekend!

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    1. Linda, the little grands came for an overnight weekend. My oldest one (7) played along with my scavenger hunt: find as many autumn artifacts throughout the house and outside on the patio. She found 100 pieces of Autumn in decorations. I was happy that she was so observant.

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  7. Carol, beautiful poem with those rich end rhymes. I enjoyed reading every word. Autumn is an amazing time. (I miss it in the desert.) But I have fond memories of when I lived in places with vibrant colorful falls. I loved this line: "Watching nature's glamorous stroll" as it reminds me of the breezes blowing and the slow meandering through autumn until the leaves are all gone.

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  8. Love all those beautiful bargains in this glamorous stroll!

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  9. I can relate to all of this, especially the plants becoming lunch! Your poem is filled with heartfelt praise for nature's best dressed season.

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  10. I love your rhyming! There's a light, playful touch in your words with the delicate plants becoming lunch. And, the idea of fall being a bargain--so fresh. Well done.

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  11. So many great observations--and in rhyme! I love autumn strutting in!

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  12. Beloved autumn! I can feel the love in your poem, Carol.

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