“When Autumn Came”… woah. I find the poet’s use of language so effective. Autumn feels almost violent in this perspective, which I can relate to - almost begging for mercy. Something I’ve definitely appreciated this year is the honesty of poetry. It’s almost not worth writing if it’s not honest.
And how beautiful it is to read your writing in this Autumn of my own. I love the forest activities, and the kids being kids, and the friendship you describe.
It’s now winter in Idaho, as we’ve had 2 big snowfalls. Yet, there’s hardly any snow left and a handful of trees are hanging onto their leaves for dear life. I love the tradition from crunchy leaves to glistening snow.
I was only saying to my sister this weekend that there's this even tinier (tiny'er?) window when the a few leaves are left!! There's a tree on her driveway and just a smattering of these beautiful yellow teardrop shaped leaves hang like some sort of ornament. Two big snowfalls for you and there are a still a few trees clinging on!!! I love the transition from crunchy leaves too. In fact crunchiness in general is such a glorious thing isn't it.
here you go Nelly - one of those rare moments when words respond
Before you even described it,
when you said the word ‘red’
I knew exactly what it was
a tree resplendent in glory
filigree fingers splayed on
numerous thin branches
preparing themselves for
their release to the ground
to season the earth below with
hope of a returning Spring
I feel every. single. word. A gift. Thank you x
❤️
“When Autumn Came”… woah. I find the poet’s use of language so effective. Autumn feels almost violent in this perspective, which I can relate to - almost begging for mercy. Something I’ve definitely appreciated this year is the honesty of poetry. It’s almost not worth writing if it’s not honest.
“It’s almost not worth writing if it’s not honest” - i could spend all day thinking about that line ❤️❤️❤️
I love your poem Nelly, especially the last line. That’s really it - when you’ve been in the presence of autumn you feel…changed…indwelt 🧡
Have you come across this one by Laura Ding Edwards? I love its energy…
R E D
(Laura Ding Edwards)
Autumn breathes cool in the early air
Barely a whisper, hardly there
Kissing the leaves as she dances along
Singing quietly the last of the Summer’s song
Gently she sways through the gaps in the trees
Charming the branches with graceful ease,
Stooping and bowing they follow her lead,
And gift her gold leaves, as is always agreed
The mists of the morning are her disguise
As she secretly colours the earth & skies
With her palette of amber and chestnut
and scarlet
Wine dark stained lips dripping ruby and garnet
The hedgerows enchanted, they drop freely down
Black ripened berries on a twisted, thorn crown
Embellished, emblazoned, she pirouettes up a breeze
And turns the warmth down by a few degrees,
Bolder and brighter she throws down her hand
Rolls out her red carpet and covers the land
Swirling in sepia, flames for her hair,
Heady perfume of bonfire smoke fills the air
All death is dancing in russet and gold,
The song of the summer is over we’re told
And Autumn continues her sultry display
As Summer bows out and then slips away.
Sultry!!! Such a good word. I hadn’t. Thank you x
I genuinely gasped seeing that tree Nelly!. :o
And how beautiful it is to read your writing in this Autumn of my own. I love the forest activities, and the kids being kids, and the friendship you describe.
It’s red right?! 🤣. Yes I love it too x
Bracing & Pacing
--
Autumn broods as if it will live on forever,
Yet scarpers the first moment it gets to leave.
Mad dash, leaves and ash, festering, another turn—
And all I do is put the kettle on.
-
"Do I need a coat?" you ask at the hallway door.
"I haven't checked the weather," I call out.
Too stuffy for coats, too chilly without. We sigh
As I catch up and we both leave, bracing.
-
Once out in the wild of pavements and calm streetlights
We walk to the edge, to woods and good times.
Forgotten are kettle and coats and temperatures;
Remembered is why this is all worthwhile.
Such great storytelling. And I love the ending. So worthwhile x
https://aliciakwon.substack.com/p/fly-your-freak-flag?r=2phurm
It’s now winter in Idaho, as we’ve had 2 big snowfalls. Yet, there’s hardly any snow left and a handful of trees are hanging onto their leaves for dear life. I love the tradition from crunchy leaves to glistening snow.
transition from crunchy leaves to glistening snow.
(Not sure what happened to the rest of my comment there)
I was only saying to my sister this weekend that there's this even tinier (tiny'er?) window when the a few leaves are left!! There's a tree on her driveway and just a smattering of these beautiful yellow teardrop shaped leaves hang like some sort of ornament. Two big snowfalls for you and there are a still a few trees clinging on!!! I love the transition from crunchy leaves too. In fact crunchiness in general is such a glorious thing isn't it.
I absolutely love your red tree - that is truly the reddest tree! <3
the tree is an acer.
Not blunt at all. Thank you. An Acer. I’ve rolled that new knowledge off my tongue a fair few times. Mmm. Yes.
A Japanese Acer to be precise
sorry that was blunt - I was interrupted
Loved this Nelly. What is it about autumn …to be already steeped in nostalgia while it’s happening?🍁
You’ve summed it up in one line. This is it 👍