Autumn all Year Long

Seasons come and go like visitors

never truly unpacking their bags --

Summer is dressed in the same shift until

she bids farewell, as a relative departing

            after a holiday meal.

 

Perhaps this is why I never feel the rhythm

of the world around me, as it sparks

like a hammer striking an anvil, raining

red stars that burn out before

            they reach the ground. 

 

Give me Autumn all year long,

draped in rust reds and burnt oranges,

scented by harvested pumpkin and a hint

of pine sap lingering on the periphery,

            like an ancient watermark.

 

            Oh, for my closet to be ever filled

            with pea coats and knitted scarves,

            for my cook-top to know the constant company

            of deep pans and candy thermometers!

 

The Maple beyond my window is changing,

the tips of her leaves are beginning to ripen,

and when she turns I will plead with her to remain,

for I cannot stomach her Winter nakedness,

nor the need for another empty transition

            into a different state of mind. 

Reviews

[Mark]

I love the Autumn season. You captured it vividly here.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Mark!

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

Well done as always, though I'm not very fond of autumn... maybe one of these days. lol

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Autumn is my favorite time of year...but I think it depends upon where you live and how you grow up, because we project our own memories on to certain times of the year. Glad you enjoyed the write.

[Pax Analog]

Ah, fall in love w/fall! ;-) Indeed, those seasonal visitors never do unpack their bags, do they? Well at least Calif. is rather uniform seasonally. But fall has that distinct edge, crisp for reflection, lingering. . .Love your hammer/anvil lines. You're also reminding me I sang "Autumn Leaves" once upon a time. Lovely poem.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

I make my own Autumn, even if there really isn't much of one here on the CA coast...we get summer than just bleeds into winter, but I do my best to inffuse fall elements whenever and where ever i can :)

[J. J. Nightingale]

I wish we could stay in Autumn forever
And gaze in wonder at the floating myriad of colors
Whilst a cool breeze touches across our cheek
Tis my favorite time of the year
I wish we could stay in Autumn forever..

Beautiful .. touches a chord ...... Jazz

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Jazz...your words mean a lot!

[J. J. Nightingale]

You r welcome ..... :)..

[MsJewel]

You are an artist with your words, painting stunning pictures. We don't get much of an autumn in Southern California. Thank you for sharing the beauty of the season with me.
:) Julie

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

We don't get a great one here, either, though probably a little better than yours. Our summer seems to bleed into winter here on the coast, but I have family in places where the four seasons are distinct and delightful. I long for a perpetual Autumn...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

people never seem to stay either, friends, lovers...they move on like the seasons....give me fall all year around...it is my favorite season literally...but metaphorically, it is the season of leaves changing colors and leaving us...people do that too.

nicely done poem on my favorite subject...autumn...and a nice allegory intertwined like branches full of turning maple leaves.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

I'm glad you caught the "bigger picture" here, Jacob...I wasn't sure I ad made it clear enough. :)

[Anand Sehgal]

People come and go like visitors
never truly unpacking their facets -- :D :D
Maple stands for the dynamic world, the society around you .
A change, an unrest , a subtle pain of metamorphosis penned beautifully with a capital B .
loved it

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, my friend.

[Rita L. Sev]

Great opening personification -

Seasons come and go like visitors
never truly unpacking their bags --

While I enjoy living where seasons change, your words ring so true - just as we get used to the warmth of summer, it's gone...

I completely agree that Autumn would be the best permanent season, and for your reasons - warm scarves, pea coats and bubbling pots... oh, and Ugg boots... ;)

We simultaneously come alive and snuggle down in Autumn... Superb poem, Sarah.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you, Rita, for really taking the time to read this one; I'm glad you liked it!

[ChemicalMadness]

If I could have year-round spring to autumn, autumn to spring....that would be my choice. articulated well here, GF (on the autumn-side of things, at least). Funny that those are the more even of the seasons, no wild swings, no unbearable heat or cold hell bent on stealing life. no extremes. its no wonder you crave this place of inbetweens ;)

CM.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you, CM... good to see you around here.

[Einstein Noodle]

i love this Girl Friday... fall is the greatest of all...you well my heart and make me cry...glutton for this bliss i read again...:)
E.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

I love the fall as well...my favorite time of year!