Gone The Summer

August slides into September,

summer days are almost over.

Gone the chance to dance in clover,

barefoot with the one you love.

Soon we'll gather by the handful

ochre leaves in autumn freefall.

Watch them tumble to the paving,

not for saving, we will burn them.

Warm our hands when cold winds blow.

Then the snow will freeze our fingers

and the frost will choose to linger

late into the morning hours.

Bleak the garden with no flowers

in the midst of winter's pall.

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

The passage into autumn is a prolific period for poetry. This one notes the movement from clover to the ochre leaves, then into the bleakness of winter. I think winter somehow equates with death for many of us, which is understandable, with the absence of flora amidst the "pall." But within that seeming stillness life abides, waiting for the spring to call it forth again. Life never really dies.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John for this thoughtful review. All good wishes.

Chris

[¿]

Feels like I'm slipped from summer to fall so smoothly! Am also excited for winter as always... I just love my quilt and laziness during cilled winter nights...however I won't be that fortunate to enjoy a snow brush on my face...A great refreshment you served this Fall through your poem...Love it Chris! Hugs :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Tahsin. I will gladly give up my snowflakes for your sun any day of the week. Thank you for checking this one out for me.

Chris

[¿]

Goodness! You do enjoy your snowflakes dear :) Warmly welcome❤

[Kumarmani Mahakul]

The snow will freeze and motivate mind. Summer is gone but love is bloomed. New flowers will smile in the garden. An interesting poem is very beautifully penned, ..100

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for calling on my page. I very much appreciate your lovely response Kumarmani Mahakul.

Chris

[Verse]

Love the soft, gentle, pastoral feel of this write, which eases us into frostbite. :):)
Not to mention the lovely, musical rhythm! And any suggestion of going barefoot with the one I love is okay by me.

The words settle on us like a mantle. You have a talent, Poetess!

V

[Chris Shaw]

You are more than kind with your response Verse. Thank you so much.

Chris

[Verse]

You’re welcome, Chris! :):)

[Jimmy Yetts]

Gorgeous poetry that kinda bummed me out.
The truth sometimes does that.
Must go now to prepare for "winter's pall."

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Jimmy. There's still plenty of autumn left before you have to get your long johns and gloves out. Thank you for reading.

Chris

[angel]

Oh, dear, no barefoot dancing in clover for me! Our neighbor has beehives, and the clover each year is simply alive with bees! I'd be askin' for it. trompin' on 'em that way!
What am I saying? I couldn't do so anyway==my dancing days are over, barefoot or not. Wheelchair, me.
The frost still nips me fingers from time to time, though!
My favorite line:Ochre leaves in Autumn freefall. Lovely.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you angel and I wouldn't be doing dancing in the clover barefoot either if it was alive with bees. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[wordman]

damn, i hate to see winter come,but just because summer has gone
winter is beautiful as well

[Chris Shaw]

All seasons have their own brand of beauty. I like spring and summer best because they are the seasons of birth and growth. However autumn and winter have their glory as well. Thank you for responding. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[wordman]

my pleasure mam

[Kumarmani Mahakul]

How are you Ron (Wordman) our old poet friend....

[wordman]

i am well my friend,good to see you

[Najam Us Saher]

Effortlessly your words changed to a different season, you created wide imagery expressing all the elements of seasons.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your beautiful response and for calling on my page. You are very welcome.

read moreThank you for your beautiful response and for calling on my page. You are very welcome.

Chris

[Najam Us Saher]

It was my pleasure reading this.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you ............

[jacob erin-cilberto]

wow...if only...i long for fall, but we are still in the throes of vicious heat here...and have heard that the cool weather will not come until November.

i want to see those leaves that look like the ones in this picture on the left.

j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Jacob. Sadly for us, we have that chill in the air now, early mornings and evenings. Some welcome it, but I am a summer bird. Your tree picture is superb.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

Yes we seem to be moving along
I probably should not say it but I am not unhappy to leave this summer behind
Be nice to just stall out somewhere around mid-autumn
Nicely expressed
Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Dave. This year was unusually hot in the UK so I know some are welcoming the change in temperature. Not me, I really enjoyed a spell of mediterranean heat. My bones enjoyed it as well.

Chris