Autumn Equinox Then

 

Let seed be grass, and grass turn into hay."

     Theodore Roethke, "I Knew A Woman"

 

  

 

The deep prairie horizon that tells what the weather

Will be darkens, foreshortens, the line between air

And the earth, two ancient elements, becoming one,

A kind of alchemy from which wind and then rain

Will ensue; a premonition of both in the late summer

Maples, their leaves that have been turning and

Falling quietly becoming a rush of sound and color.

In the field the last cutting of hay has been turned,

Raked and dried and baled; the rush to bring them

Into the barn before the rain where they are lifted

From hand to aching hand and fit like puzzle pieces

Into the loft; bits drift down to the  impatient horses.

Tomorrow, after the storm, they will follow me as

I walk the fence line, waiting for the windfall apples.

There are the last blackberries and gooseberries

To be picked, hard and tart now, black walnuts

To be gathered and shelled, deadfall to be sawn

And stacked.  A season ends and another begins.  

Life goes on into the familiar and the unexpected.

 





Poetry by countryfog
Read 1047 times
Written on 2015-09-20 at 00:53

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Ivan R
It starts as a picture painted carefully, then goes on to throw images as it spells, goes on with a life force so great,
then it stops, and just ... tells what life is after the heat, and in to the autumn, life after the burn.
I love this poem of yours*
2015-09-23



Well, this is a treat on a Sunday evening, my friend :-)
I love to read of the prairie, the expanse of it and the magic bestowed by your 'alchemy' here. The description of the maples is also very satisfying; likewise the rush of work in the fields, rendered so well that I can smell the hay! The 'puzzle pieces' are excellent and I like the fruit and nuts, the colours, shapes, smells too. Here Autumn's arrival felt very sudden, really just over a couple of rainy days, and I recognise 'the familiar and the unexpected' that forms a thoughtful conclusion. Autumnal applause (-:>)
2015-09-21


Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
This is very nice, describing both timelessness and a specific moment.
2015-09-20


josephus The PoetBay support member heart!
This year I was caught unawares by the autumn leaves! Normally I'm much more in tune, as you are in this lovely poem. I envy you that "in the moment" awareness you have. This is such a warm and wonderful piece of yesterday. It brings me back to the innocence and honest care less ness of childhood. I did most of what you have written, as a boy. Thank you as always for bringing these wonderful memories back to me.
2015-09-20