Sally Eslinger | + Follow Poet |
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In Time With Autumn

In Time with Autumn
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Autumn rushed ahead  
without me,
Leaving me to chase 
After its perfect 
   violet skylight.
My running feet crack
The silence of 
   the earlier dusk, with
My mashing of
    the dry death
Of the discarded 
Brown and golden leaves
Covering the ground
I course,
Trying to catch up.

It seems
Time has become 
A fleeing antelope, so
Much faster than my sprinting…
And my aging has left me
With neither the wisdom 
Nor any proverbs
To reconcile my long decades 
With these quickening years, 
This skirting of seasons
And their shortened breath…
I remain a turn and a length behind
In this — my present calendar’s —
Unreasonable race
In sight of autumn’s 
beautiful sunset.
The rush, beyond me,
Calls for a delighting stroll,
As my soul whispers, 
“This human measure 
Of time forgets:
Every second may be ever-lasting.”

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(c) sally young Eslinger  art & poem 10/31/21
Thanks be to God

Copyright © Sally Eslinger | Year Posted 2021

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Susan Ashley Date: 11/9/2021 8:55:00 AM Dear Sally, your gifted pen spills potent poetry. An exceptional piece, your last few lines, especially, are powerful yet tender, so evocative, so deep and thought-provoking. The contemplative beauty and angst of your poem stirs many emotions.. as seasons change, so we change too, moving ever forward, even as we wish to slow the rushing days to "a delighting stroll". The exquisite nature of your poem causes me to linger with your verse. Thank you. Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan Login to Reply Sally Eslinger Date: 11/11/2021 5:42:00 AM Susan, sister poet…I think we write, first, because the poems DEMAND to surface, but, ultimately, they LONG to communicate (sharing), leave the transcribing pen to touch others, even one. I thank you for your touching words, so learned…my poem feels worthwhile. Hugs, sally

Michelle Faulkner Date: 11/2/2021 7:43:00 PM So true, as I grow older, time does seem to move faster, and I can't quite catch up! I really like the contrast between 'long decades/quickening years' and the 'shortened breath' of seasons - this is just beautiful~ Login to Reply Sally Eslinger Date: 11/7/2021 4:40:00 PM Hi, Michelle! So glad you could relate. I so recall those horrid dragging afternoons as a child! And cannot get used to the ruch of whole weeks now! They say there is something good in boredom. Never time for it except in dr. Waiting rooms. Haha rhanks for commenting xox