Suzette Richards Poet Other

Notes About The Poem

© Maple-leaved viburnum, photograph by Suzette Richards (21/4/2020)

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Poetry is not only for the hearing, but also for the hearing-impaired, eg ASL poetry. The auditory imagery, eg the sensation of hearing the rustling of autumn leaves, was purposely left out in the development of this poem—included is the balance of imagery: gustatory, kinetic, olfactory, tactile & visual.

A Suzette Swan Arc poem. See my article:

Klein's Vase Verse - A New Poetic Form | PoetrySoup.com

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In the Autumn of Life

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the wind has died down—
the ground  s t r e w n 
with nature’s debris—
     autumn’s palette
a feast for the eye … a shelved chore
before the
       inevitable miasma of dusty decay 

teased by wind’s chilling fingers
that’s tasted in the back of the throat –
green and red leaves 
     scattered  side by side—
     a conspiritual cosying up
a compelling contrast:
     youthful green, aged red— 
although red leads the rainbow,
          it 
             follows 
                 in nature …

the beauty of old age 
unfolds in the display of fallen leaves—
     s c a t t e r e d   to the wind
     
                infinitely wiser …

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Paige Hind May 27, 2025 at 5:09 PM I am so glad you won with this. "a compelling contrast: youthful green, aged red— although red leads the rainbow, it follows in nature …" what introspective beauty, dear Suzette

Kim Rodrigues May 26, 2025 at 12:38 PM Very nice, how you did this! Congrats, Suzette! Suzette Richards May 26, 2025 at 5:42 PM Thanks, Kim :)

Ink Empress May 25, 2025 at 10:07 PM I love this dear suzette how youv personified too or given human-like features to nature and used words like throat fingers, thats always something i love, this is one of the most beautiful poems iv read in a while! For the arrangement of words; the way youv painted imagery especially in the opening lines, and the last line, which made me pause and think from so many angles! I think the more i read theres so much to learn, from your use of this form: pleasure visiting your winning poem. Congratulations. Sending you light always Suzette Richards May 25, 2025 at 10:30 PM Oops! I made a mistake (just shows you that us humans are fallible): 'that’s tasted in the back the throat –' should read: 'that’s tasted in the back of the throat –' As personification is a type of metaphor, it was my ultimate aim. Thanks for your kind comment, Ink. I'M poetry is now my default form; even supplanting Suzette Prime. :)

Paula Goldsmith May 24, 2025 at 10:47 AM I enjoyed reading your wonderful "In the Autumn of Life" write. Great Ending.... "The beauty of old age unfolds in the display of fallen leaves," this is a great line. Have a great weekend.............. Suzette Richards May 24, 2025 at 10:54 AM Thank you for the visit, Paula, and kind comment:)