An Autumn Reverie
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber
Today’s poem first appeared on the blog in 2017.
As a student of English and American literature (early 50 years ago … oo-err!) at the University of Kent in Canterbury in the 1970’s, I enjoyed reading the works of Nathaniel Hawthorne. I dipped into his Notebooks and could as easily relate to this entry then as now notwithstanding a mobility problem and my coming up to 75 years-old.
“I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house." - Nathaniel Hawthorne [Notebook, Oct. 10, 1842]
AN AUTUMN REVERIE
Autumn leaves on a lake
caught like flies in a spidery web
of glittering sunlight
Breaking free in a breeze,
skimming feisty ripples, courtesy
of a north-westerly wind
Some taking off, low fly past
over sad trees standing at attention
for once-time companions
Others, caught in a sudden lull,
returned to the lake or as prodigals
to the earth’s safe-keeping
Somewhere, woodlands sounding
its Last Post by way of acknowledging
all its seasoned veterans
Glittering sunlight on a lake,
dead leaves like flies in a spidery web,
observers lost in thought
Copyright R. N. Taber 2017; 2020
Today’s poem first appeared on the blog in 2017.
As a student of English and American literature (early 50 years ago … oo-err!) at the University of Kent in Canterbury in the 1970’s, I enjoyed reading the works of Nathaniel Hawthorne. I dipped into his Notebooks and could as easily relate to this entry then as now notwithstanding a mobility problem and my coming up to 75 years-old.
“I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house." - Nathaniel Hawthorne [Notebook, Oct. 10, 1842]
AN AUTUMN REVERIE
Autumn leaves on a lake
caught like flies in a spidery web
of glittering sunlight
Breaking free in a breeze,
skimming feisty ripples, courtesy
of a north-westerly wind
Some taking off, low fly past
over sad trees standing at attention
for once-time companions
Others, caught in a sudden lull,
returned to the lake or as prodigals
to the earth’s safe-keeping
Somewhere, woodlands sounding
its Last Post by way of acknowledging
all its seasoned veterans
Glittering sunlight on a lake,
dead leaves like flies in a spidery web,
observers lost in thought
Copyright R. N. Taber 2017; 2020
Labels: autumn, countryside, empathy, fall, human nature, human spirit, lakes, life forces, mind-body-spirit, nature, personal space, poetry, seasons, trees
posted by R. N. Taber | 07:37
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