John Watt Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

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November descends delicately,
          crisp, crimson-gold
   landing languidly midway between 
          'Shall I compare thee to a summer's day'
      and 'Now is the winter of our discontent' -
              dead center between its nurturing tree
          and the leaf pile bound for burning

Casually clad in T-shirt and shorts
        on my makeshift cardboard sled
   middle age's gravity conveys me irreversibly
           down summer's green, grassy slope
     towards the snow-shrouded vale -
               I find myself halfway between
        where I did not want to leave
                   and where I do not wish to visit

Midway between the eulogy 
       and the forlorn trumpet playing 'Taps'
  it dawns on me that life is not entirely about the
           sunshine on our backs nor the coming snowbank
      but about searching for the sunrise
               on the far side of
         the next hill


1 November 2022

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Gary Radice November 19, 2022 at 1:50 AM Oh, beautifully written John. Metaphors wrapped seamlessly inside your free verse tell of life's journey, middle age, angst, the past, the future and leaves us with something to ponder; the future is what we make of it. I love this and am off to read it again. Cheers - Gary John Watt November 19, 2022 at 1:06 PM Gary, I know it sounds clichè, but I am honored by your comments. You are not only one of my favorite writers but one of my favorite readers as well. You extract the deeper currents of a poem and bring them to light, almost as though you had written them yourself. I'm very grateful for your thoughtful words and your poetry friendship. Cheers ~ John

Jenna Logan November 11, 2022 at 5:14 AM John, there is so much to read between your lines. Your references to life and death are beautifully subtle. Congratulations on your placement, but i feel it deserved better. John Watt November 12, 2022 at 9:32 PM I truly appreciate your thoughtful reads and gracious comments, Jenna. I hope you are enjoying your weekend ~ John

Sotto Poet November 11, 2022 at 4:45 AM Congratulations on your contest win, John. You amply deserve it with your wonderful poem. John Watt November 12, 2022 at 9:30 PM I'm grateful for your appreciation and support, Lasaad. Enjoy your November ~ John

Anne-Lise Andresen November 11, 2022 at 3:28 AM - November is rainy here, the first storms come, the colors disappear... dark days until spring comes ... we really seek the sun :) - Congratulations on your win - John Watt November 12, 2022 at 9:29 PM Thank you for reading and commenting, Anne-Lise. I'm sure you appreciate when Spring arrives. Hugs ~ John

Christuraj Alex November 11, 2022 at 12:27 AM "searching for the sunrise on the far side of the next hill" - Entire poem is beautifully written. Congratulations! John Watt November 12, 2022 at 9:26 PM I appreciate your thoughtful affirmation, Christuraj

Regina Mcintosh November 11, 2022 at 12:02 AM Amazing writing. Just love so much. Congrats and God bless you, Love, Gina John Watt November 12, 2022 at 9:25 PM You are kind to say so, Gina. Thank you for this contest and placement, and for all your encouragement to the poets here. God bless ~ John

Brandy Nicole November 4, 2022 at 6:24 PM "I find myself halfway between a summer's day and a nurturing tree." (For now, anyway). I have accepted the aging process and I'm okay with sliding down that hill. *At a steady pace* Of course. I'm in no hurry to get to the bottom. Keep smiling my dear friend, and keep reaching for the stars. Many wonderful blessings to you. Hugs, Brandy John Watt November 5, 2022 at 9:21 PM I will keep smiling, my friend. Every day is a gift. Thank you for going on this poetic journey with me (at a steady pace of course). Hugs ~ John

Michelle Faulkner November 1, 2022 at 8:51 PM My poetry sibling, this is both so melancholy over the inevitability of time's passing and also cherishes the beauty of the day we hold, November is the delicate in between season, as I am getting older (52 next week! How did that happen?) I also am trying to seek the sunrise over the next hill~ John Watt November 2, 2022 at 7:53 AM 52 was a great year for me, hope it is for you also. Middle age is what we make it... here's to seeking that sunrise. Thanks for the kind comment. Take care, my friend ~ John

Harry Horsman October 31, 2022 at 9:23 PM Love this rambling mindset here, John, a journey through wonderful poetry. Harry John Watt November 2, 2022 at 7:50 AM I appreciate your visit, Harry. Hope all is well with you ~ John

Kim Rodrigues October 31, 2022 at 5:16 PM A fantasy of sorts…a mind full of reflection! Love it! John Watt November 2, 2022 at 7:50 AM Thank you, Kim!