It is the end of the month, often the time for #PoetryPals to offer a challenge. You can read Tanita's explanation HERE, to write an ode to autumn. I did some research yet returned to advice from Billy Collins that Tanita shared. I just wrote about autumn a couple of weeks ago HERE, but that was a bit tongue-in-cheek for Ted Kooser. This time, I attempted to follow Billy's rules. Thanks for the challenge, #PoetryPals. Our leaves are all nearly down; trees are stark against the sky. But it means I can see more stars!
Wishing each of you a lovely beginning to December!
To Autumn
If I were to write an autumn ode,
list minute parts which I adore,
spring might cry “Foul! I've also glowed.”
And I’d reply, “Please, don’t be sore.
You’ll have a turn from Eliot’s reply
but now, I write of wealth in rainbows,
artists’ palettes drip down like sighs
as trees prepare their encore show.”
I praise the scene of autumn’s court,
sweater-snug under blue-bright sky,
a panoply of feuille morte*.
It tells how best to say goodbye.
Linda Baie ©
*(a brownish orange that is deeper and slightly redder than leather, yellower and deeper than spice, and yellower and deeper than gold pheasant. — called also autumn leaf, dead leaf, foliage brown, leather lake, oakleaf brown, philamot, withered leaf.)
Ha! Of course Spring might feel slighted. I love this, Linda! Thank you! xo
ReplyDeleteooooh! Nice rhyme scheme. And, to include feuille morte. Wowsers. Saying goodbye is so hard. Thank goodness Fall gives us and you, dear poet, a perfect metaphor! Wll done.
ReplyDeleteLinda, so many beauties here. Good job crafting this ode. I love how you speak to spring to justify your ode, writing of rainbows as
ReplyDelete"artists’ palettes drip down like sighs
as trees prepare their encore show" Wow!
Happy Holiday, Linda! I loved contemplating the "panoply of Feuille morte," and the description of it.
ReplyDeleteOOOOOH. Feuille morte! I mean, who ever gets to use that in a poem!? That's just lovely, as is the idea of saying goodbye in such an extended and beautiful way. Wow.
ReplyDeleteThat whole last stanza! I especially love "sweater-snug" and the way you flipped "blue-bright sky."
ReplyDeleteYour little conversation with Spring is a neat way to favor Autumn and its best way to say goodbye. Lovely, Linda!
ReplyDeleteThis is so lovely, Linda. Love "sweater-snug" and "blue-bright sky"! Also the palettes dripping down like sighs. I like the sense of fairness communicated in the poem, so as not to slight spring. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone for your kind comments. Hope you've had a lovely Thanksgiving and after with family and friends, large or small.
ReplyDeleteLinda,this is a poem that takes my breath away with its visual descriptionL artists’ palettes drip down like sighs/as trees prepare their encore show.Stunning! You did sucha great job using Collins' rules. Goodbye sweet Autumn!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Linda, and such a lovely rhythm you created in your lines. I especially like the word panoply in there and the "feuille morte" has such exquisitely described colors, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle, we all have much to say about autumn, don't we? It holds much to celebrate.
DeleteLinda, everytime I read your poem post, I must have fallen asleep while commenting. But I am here again for the last try. Your ode is full of energy and such beautiful thoughts, like "artists’ palettes drip down like sighs". Autumn is the great creator of color as it streaks across the horizon. Thank you for filling my morning with weater-snug thoughts under a blue-bright sky. Hopefully, the weather continues to be warmish so I can give autumn decorations a rest until next year.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol. Wishing you a lovely week ahead, welcoming December!
ReplyDeleteWhat a well done ode complete with rhyme and brilliant word choice! I also love sweater-snug as I lie on my sofa wrapped in a blanket and catch up on PF posts.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I wish we had welcomed winter so I could be "sweater-snug" but it remains very warm. I enjoyed this challenge! Hope you & yours are terrific, Margaret. I love seeing your sweet grands!
DeleteThe words are s autumnal. That last stanza! Wow!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jone. I'm glad you like it!
DeleteWhat a beautiful picture you have painted Linda - and the line 'a panoply of feuille morte' is perfect - the word panopoly and the colour, too, making me learn even as I sighed at the perfection.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Autumn indeed inspires!
DeleteLove "sweater snug" ... couldn't get to this on Friday, but loving it now! Thanks. Hope your Thanksgiving was lovely.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen. Hope your holiday was, too! Yes, it was a lovely day of visiting and just enjoying each other at my daughter's!
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