Monday, October 3, 2011

Season



Autumn: not winter, not yet,
the rains of spring, the fires of summer
behind, the snows of winter ahead;
autumn: the clock slowing,
the quiet growing in the cool light
of October, the wisest month when
color is seen most clearly, the color
always there hidden in a shroud of green

what mattered doesn’t
what matters is

oak and maple shed their possessions,
giving what they have to serve
what comes after, a compost
to molder and simmer and bake,
decaying and dissolving, waiting

the order of heaven: a time
for every purpose.

This poem is submitted for the One World Blog Carnival hosted by Peter Pollock. The prompt word is “season.” To see more submitted posts, please visit Peter's site. The links will be live at 10 p.m. Central time tonight.

Painting: Autumn Trees by David Wagner via Public Domain Pictures. Used with permission.


My recording of "Season:"

Season by Glynn2

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

every purpose
and time
dissolving into
One


a totally beautiful poem.

Maureen said...

I like your line about October being "the wisest month / when color is seen most clearly". We're experiencing a cold snap here. I'm not sure what that, plus all the rain we've been having, will do to the colors this fall.

I'm posting a seasonal poem tomorrow. I'd forgotten about the Carnival, so perhaps the poem will work for that as well as dVerse.

Karen Kyle Ericson said...

I like it! Very nice. I just put out a photo on my photo blog of a fall leaf. We're almost there for the fall colors.

Patricia said...

what mattered doesn’t
what matters is

how telling that what seems to matter changes color and "falls" away as we grow... (and some of mine does belong in the compost bin.)

Yes! Laity Lodge was simply wonderful. It was your blog post that led me there and I am very thankful to you and your friends at the High Calling. They far surpassed any expectations I had and quelled every fear. :)

Unknown said...

This was lovely :) I especially enjoyed,

"autumn: the clock slowing,
the quiet growing in the cool light
of October, the wisest month when
color is seen most clearly, the color
always there hidden in a shroud of green"

That's a warm and inviting picture as well.

Louise Gallagher said...

I love the feeling of watching the seasons pass into another.

and this...

what mattered doesn't
what matters is

WOW!

Steve Gravano said...

Beautifully done Glenn. I like the line:
"autumn: the clock slowing"

Lisa notes... said...

"the clock slowing" seems to be resonating with many of us. Something we all desire I suppose. Nice poem.

Cris Ferreira said...

Your poem reminded me of when I drove from Massachusetts to NYC back in 1998. It was Autumn, so the colors of the trees were so amazing, some of the most beautiful scenarios I've ever seen.
Beautiful poem, Glynn!

Kelly Sauer said...

When Julia Kasdorf did her poetry reading the first night at Laity Lodge, I realized that I don't really LISTEN to poetry. So I am glad that you included your reading - it opened the poem up for me, listening to it. I liked it when I read it, but it becomes PART of me in the hearing.

Beautirul, Glynn. Really beautiful.

JennyRain said...

I'm so glad I listened to you read this instead of reading it myself... it added a whole dimension to it. Beautiful!

this is my favorite line: "oak and maple shed their possessions,
giving what they have to serve
what comes after"

katdish said...

what mattered doesn’t
what matters is

So much truth in an economy of words.

Loved this poem, Glynn.

Sandra Heska King said...

I took Julia's class. It was the first time I ever sat in a circle and read my poetry in my voice--and then had someone else read it with their voice. And then receive writerly comments. So scary. And such an encouragement. And to hear your voice--what a blessing.

I'm pondering the idea of a shroud of green when we think of green as the color of life. But how the true colors are exposed as the stripping time comes. And then not death, but deeper life.

Gorgeous, colorful poem!

I love Nancy's idea of dissolving into One, too. :)

Brian Miller said...

nice...beautiful reflections on my fav season...this was lovely read as well glynn...

hey question...do you know where deidra went? tried to get to her place yesterday and even tried going through highcalling...?

Beachanny said...

Love this Glynn, indeed the marriage of leaves, the flames of color, and the purpose of everything under heaven. Beautifully written. G.

a joyful noise said...

Arriving - but not yet!
Soon it will come - but not yet!
We will cast our earthly clothing
like the trees do their leaves,
New bodies, everything changed!
All is new as we meet Him face to face!

Anne Lang Bundy said...

the wisest month when
color is seen most clearly, the color
always there hidden in a shroud of green ...


*smile*

What a clear and lovely voice you have! Your rich reading truly enhanced this post, Glynn.