Cider Press - 8. November

I relate to poems with nature as a theme. I had a lovely walk this afternoon, and my head was on a swivel, absorbing all the changes. A tree I never noticed before, stood out as a magnificent creation today. This world is vibrant, even when the colors turn muted and grey. Thanks, Parker. Your ode to nature is timely for this old guy.  

Lovely words.

I really had myriad thoughts but my words failed me.

Skilful -

I had already written the word skilful and meant it - when I looked again at the very last line. And I noticed that it jarred - don't know why. Is it 'must' (at least over here snow is not the norm in winter any longer) or the simply that the verb is pushed to the end of the line? I do not know. But I know this: There is this memory of bright autumn leaves, the sight of the squirrel and other little creatures, then the background of browns, different hues in fading light, the light sounds of small animals moving and one of us, too, watching before winter is coming. And man - you - there combining random impressions to a picture that makes sense - your environment, your views of nature (so typically human), your trying to spot what you expect - and finally - something remote from your personal experience, something different and I sense some loss there - as if you yourself were gone from that part.

I have looked again at the last lines: It is the creatures that must roam and prepare, not us. Winter is coming anyway, for them. we are warm and safe. I keep adding my own thoughts. You are simply too evocative in your poems. 

I love how the rhyme weaves its way through the stanzas.

38 minutes ago, Headstall said:

I relate to poems with nature as a theme. I had a lovely walk this afternoon, and my head was on a swivel, absorbing all the changes. A tree I never noticed before, stood out as a magnificent creation today. This world is vibrant, even when the colors turn muted and grey. Thanks, Parker. Your ode to nature is timely for this old guy.  

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. 

37 minutes ago, Valkyrie said:

A perfect description of a November forest.   

And it looked gorgeous in the sun this afternoon, too. Thank you!

15 minutes ago, dughlas said:

Lovely words.

I really had myriad thoughts but my words failed me.

I thank you for reading this one, and for letting me know it moved your spirit. 

3 minutes ago, mayday said:

Skilful -

I had already written the word skilful and meant it - when I looked again at the very last line. And I noticed that it jarred - don't know why. Is it 'must' (at least over here snow is not the norm in winter any longer) or the simply that the verb is pushed to the end of the line? I do not know. But I know this: There is this memory of bright autumn leaves, the sight of the squirrel and other little creatures, then the background of browns, different hues in fading light, the light sounds of small animals moving and one of us, too, watching before winter is coming. And man - you - there combining random impressions to a picture that makes sense - your environment, your views of nature (so typically human), your trying to spot what you expect - and finally - something remote from your personal experience, something different and I sense some loss there - as if you yourself were gone from that part.

I have looked again at the last lines: It is the creatures that must roam and prepare, not us. Winter is coming anyway, for them. we are warm and safe. I keep adding my own thoughts. You are simply too evocative in your poems. 

I love how the rhyme weaves its way through the stanzas.

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. 

This poem reminds me that it doesn't yet feel like winter is coming here. Weather has been so mild and warm (tomorrow it will be in the mid-70s!). Today, I noticed an unusual flurry of activity at the bird feeder and across the back yard: robins, flickers, morning doves, dozens of chickadees, and a flurry of squirrels. It felt more like spring than autumn. Your poem brought on a sense of melancholy, I suppose because the season just doesn't feel right. Evocative imagery, Parker, thank you.

4 hours ago, Mikiesboy said:

Beautiful Parker. I watched a gray squirrel dashing along a fence yesterday. I wondered where he was off to in such a hurry.  It was warm today, nice, but by Sunday cold again.. winter is coming. 

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. 

1 hour ago, MacGreg said:

This poem reminds me that it doesn't yet feel like winter is coming here. Weather has been so mild and warm (tomorrow it will be in the mid-70s!). Today, I noticed an unusual flurry of activity at the bird feeder and across the back yard: robins, flickers, morning doves, dozens of chickadees, and a flurry of squirrels. It felt more like spring than autumn. Your poem brought on a sense of melancholy, I suppose because the season just doesn't feel right. Evocative imagery, Parker, thank you.

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....

Beautiful imagery Parker. Amazing how a single moment brings clarity. Weaving the connection of humans, animals and nature. 

2 minutes ago, BlindAmbition said:

Beautiful imagery Parker. Amazing how a single moment brings clarity. Weaving the connection of humans, animals and nature. 

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. 

all the other's comments say it better than i can. i believe November is prep stage of winter, skillful and wonderful are great word for this

@mogwhy Thank you, Moggy. Your words are so encouraging to read. 

The first weekend in November was our group’s last fall hike.. Your poem captures all that I love about being in the woods this time of year. 

Excellent Parker! 

2 hours ago, Defiance19 said:

The first weekend in November was our group’s last fall hike.. Your poem captures all that I love about being in the woods this time of year. 

Excellent Parker! 

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. 

where the squirrel makes his bed, 
his messy linens all on view, 
no place discreet to lay his head

A fab verse.

On 11/30/2017 at 9:06 AM, asamvav111 said:

where the squirrel makes his bed, 
his messy linens all on view, 
no place discreet to lay his head

 

A fab verse.

How good you are to say so! Squirrels nests in the trees are very messy affairs, often tossed about by winter winds. But they are safe enough in the trees. Thank you for your comments.