This is a sweet, sad story. And what a fortunate outcome for Sam, in that maybe his life has a chance of getting brighter. Thank you for doing such a nice job on this.
I read these lines and know of your strength beneath the cold and wind. You tell of voices I have heard, and feel the same disjointedness I have experienced. Thank you for your recollection of these things, for you remind me to look for the sun, and to listen for the voices of those I love.
Thank you, Def. Perhaps a poem is as good as a snapshot, sometimes. If good images and memories were captured here for you to recall, then this poem fulfilled its purpose. That, and I hope it made you smile. Many thanks for reading, and for your comments.
You again proved your mastery as a writer. I was left happily wordless by this. You brought so much to my mind as I read each line, each section. Images and connections flooded my brain. Bravo.
Gary, what strikes me so about this particular contemplation is how you can see the foundations of your surroundings - the skeletal nature of nature. It is so revealing to be able to see how hidden geography relates to what you can usually see. And of course, your final couplet is inspired. I am very glad we both could walk under the November sky and describe the world. Beautifully done.
Thank you, jp. You are so kind and thoughtful to comment. Today was a perfect late fall day - just the cool, clear day for observations like these. A day to pause from raking to listen to the world and watch.
Thank you for reading, and for your comments. 50 degrees here felt unusually warm today. Lots of downies and flickers around, plus flights of geese all headed more or less south. But the trees are all somber and brown-gray, dressed for the snow we’re sure to get. And the squirrels are doing their last minute foraging....
That squirrel is possibly in a panic trying to remember where it buried its seed or nut. Apparently, gray squirrels are not blessed with very good long term memories. They prepare for winter, but forget where the stored anything...I am glad you liked this.
First of all, my deeply felt thanks for such wonderful and thoughtful comments. At least in this part of creation, the woods fill with snow every winter, even in mild ones. We have had our first snows - the ones which arrive as sleet and surprise the children, only to melt in a day. But more will come, and in feet, not inches.
You are right in that this is as much a commentary on preparation as on what I can see. Thank you for reading these, and for your generous response.
Thank you, Gary. I am glad this appealed to your attachment to nature, and to the observations you made on your walk. You are right that what we see is magnificent, even in its somber November garments. A fallen tree with huge pileated woodpecker holes can be wonderful to behold...thanks again.
November
The woods that lie behind my home
have changed their garb to monochrome
in place of green and flaming red,
they've turned to brown of dusty tome.
Exposed to winter's icy dread
is where the squirrel makes his bed,
his messy linens all on view,
no place discreet to lay his head.
Yet he is made of matching hue
to naked oak, or ash or yew,
so it was hard to find him still,
as quick from tree to tree he flew.
The leaves are gone with autumn's chi