Summer was so hot, the little rain that risked
venturing our way turned to steam that hinted
of scurrying squirrels and campus bonfires, then
turned and sneaked back to the sky to impregnate
new clouds. Short on water, leaves shriveled to
misshapen fans that get hurt easily. Breezes
stay busy unpinning them from branches so they
can watch them tack like paper boats to the sea
of voyeurs waiting to trash November’s designs.
The rich cherry and jalapeno reds and sweet-pepper
yellows of last year’s extravaganza have given
way to thumbed tomatoes and bruised and
spotted oranges. (Eggplant and potato-peel?
Really, dahling.) Squinting, I spy the odd
model in last season’s va-va-voom hues totter
away from a table, claiming to have gotten full
on a sprig of sun-browned greenery. So thin,
the holly and pyracantha centerpieces hide them.
Seurat would have loved the polka-dot berries.
Toward dusk, volunteers throw open the doors
and windows so we can watch plums, peaches,
and apricots transform the lawn into a combination
Oriental carpet and Jacob’s coat of many colors.
Sky’s still so blue, you’d think October was allowed
to remain in charge. Clouds white as untrammeled
snow peak like the meringue only a dedicated chef
can whisk. Ahhhhhhh. Soon be time for apple cider
and gingerbread men with raisin eyes and grins
and M&M bow-ties. Though weather readers
promise higher highs before winter creeps in, better
snap it up. Already heard a “ho-hum yesterday.”
A persimmon leaf is drifting my way. Not a spot
on it. Cupping a hand, I catch it. Looks good
enough to eat, but if I can find more, I believe
I will take them home and arrange a private show.
Lunch will have to be a la carte and the affair
won’t be anything next to Nature’s, but my poet
friends and I will use any excuse to ooh and ah.
Leave greenery to sylphs. We’re piggin’ out!
(c) Phyllis Jean Green, 2010
All Rights Reserved
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Reviews of "Great Taste, Autumn Show Critics Concede"
You must have been in my back yard, because it was A Great Taste, Autumn Show Critics Concede -- and I've got the pictures to prove it. You just added the color, in beautiful words -- thank you, (((Pea))).
Love the photo Pea. But soon, very soon, all that you write about here will be a memory until next fall when it happens all over again. Don't you wish life was like the leaf, dying in the fall only to be reborn in the spring? The images here are as bright as the hues of fall, and just cool. Thank you for sharing the wonderful write.
May the Lord Bless you, and those whom you love, and be with you always, and walk by your side. With love in my heart, joy to the world, peace on earth, & ((((((((((MANY WONDERFUL SISTERLY HUGGGGSSSS)))))))))), your little sister Barbie.
Those concords reminded me of a house-office I had with a fallow grape arbor. That year was a bumper crop and we filled paper bags with them to carry 700 miles because we couldn't eat them all. Concords were too bitter and only good for Mogen David--I thought. But those were so sweet they burst in your mouth like candy.
Thanks for the lush rendering of copious harvest I so miss.
Pea,
How you see links between often apparently unconnected objects and moments and forge them uniquely is one of the qualities I admire in your thinking and writing, just one of the many qualities; here, is that usual fluency, a sharp wit, that great sense of being in touch and an underlying wisdom.
A book of nature inspired poems and essays, written from the heart and soul of a life-long nature, animal, and wilderness lover, and dedicated to today’s children - Earth's only hope for a better tomorrow.
This book won 'The Poetry Category'
Explore the mystery of how nature makes unexpected gifts of creative wonders to an unsuspecting caregiver one late night and early morning in southeastern Georgia, USA.
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(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.
Carole~
May the Lord Bless you, and those whom you love, and be with you always, and walk by your side. With love in my heart, joy to the world, peace on earth, & ((((((((((MANY WONDERFUL SISTERLY HUGGGGSSSS)))))))))), your little sister Barbie.
Thanks for the lush rendering of copious harvest I so miss.
Ron
I love the colors and visuals in this poem. My fave description was the one about the meringue clouds. Well done. Hugs,
Sheila
How you see links between often apparently unconnected objects and moments and forge them uniquely is one of the qualities I admire in your thinking and writing, just one of the many qualities; here, is that usual fluency, a sharp wit, that great sense of being in touch and an underlying wisdom.
John
Love
Christine
Enjoy!
Christine
Namaste
Tony