Indian Summer

A glass half-full of August pours its gold
on autumn's copper turning it to bronze.
The brittle Santa Ana gusts unfold
to rattle omens hidden in the fronds

that burst from trunks up high like absinthe flame
and singe October's turquoise-matted sky.
Each puff of smoke that dormant clouds became
has disappeared from desert's opal eye

as amber winds come shrieking from the east,
igniting saffron plumes among the brush
like raptor birds of paradise, a beast
awakened from a summer's verdant hush.

The crows in flight are ashes on the air
that scatter in the sunlight's molten glare.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Warlov Avatar
January 26, 2022 at 2:40 PM
The grandeur of her symphonys and mysterys to boot. Oh I remember ~ Earth Alive! Thank you.
Gauthier Avatar
January 25, 2021 at 6:27 PM
I love the vividness of your regal imagery, Dale ~ nothing but the best! Loved to find this gem published in the 2020 PS Anthology ~
Dietrich Avatar
July 29, 2020 at 2:05 PM
a very belated congrats for whichever contest this won in
Dietrich Avatar
July 29, 2020 at 2:04 PM
utterly amazing, Dale. I can't believe you have written so few poems since this time this was posted and still I had not ever seen this gorgeous sonnet.
Watt Avatar
April 28, 2020 at 8:31 PM
Excellent sonnet, Dale. Love all your creative imagery, and the line "A glass half-full of August". Congrats on your win in the Wild contest ~ John
Cozart Avatar
April 28, 2020 at 8:33 PM
Thanks for reading, John.
Pigeon Tart Avatar
April 28, 2020 at 8:20 PM
Oh yes. Delighted to read this again. I think I'm in love with those last two lines. Congratulations for your win! xomo
Cozart Avatar
April 28, 2020 at 8:33 PM
Thank you, Maureen.
Rodrigues Avatar
April 28, 2020 at 8:03 PM
What a beauty! Congratulations, Dale!
Cozart Avatar
April 28, 2020 at 8:33 PM
Thank you, Kim. Good to hear from you.
Webster Avatar
April 28, 2020 at 7:18 PM
Congratulations Dale. The line about crows being ashes on the air made my jaw drop. The implied metaphor between fire in the trees is savagely wonderful. I love unsaid metaphors hidden in the images. Pablo Neruda was very good at implied metaphors.
Cozart Avatar
April 28, 2020 at 8:32 PM
Thanks very much, Jack.
Blodgett Avatar
December 30, 2019 at 11:32 AM
Amazing context of color and metaphor! So happy I had the chance to read this wonderful poem. Lonna
Na Avatar
December 17, 2019 at 5:30 PM
Congrats on your winning poem Dale
Cozart Avatar
December 17, 2019 at 5:39 PM
Thanks, Gregory.
Gondolf Avatar
December 17, 2019 at 4:37 AM
A wonderful sonnet, Dale, the indian summer was blazing hot this year. Congrats on your win. John
Cozart Avatar
December 17, 2019 at 8:40 AM
Thanks very much, John.
Hamilton Avatar
December 16, 2019 at 4:57 PM
This is gorgeous writing Dale, congrats on a deserving second place!
Cozart Avatar
December 16, 2019 at 5:29 PM
Thanks, John.
La France Avatar
December 10, 2019 at 6:56 PM
Dale congratulations on your win in my writing challenge with this excellent poem, well done !
Cozart Avatar
December 11, 2019 at 9:18 AM
Thank you very much.
Radice Avatar
November 6, 2019 at 8:14 AM
Love this.
Cozart Avatar
November 6, 2019 at 8:22 AM
Thanks, Gary.
Foster Avatar
November 5, 2019 at 7:06 PM
igniting saffron plumes among the brush like raptor birds of paradise, love the raptors... excellent write. Lovely sonnet. Well written. Ann
Cozart Avatar
November 5, 2019 at 7:15 PM
Thanks for reading, Ann.
De Beaulieu Avatar
October 27, 2019 at 6:13 PM
Hello Dale Gregory Cozart, I see a scene of beauty. Have a nice evening my friend.
De Beaulieu Avatar
October 28, 2019 at 8:40 AM
Hello Dale, I enjoyed reading this poem. Have a nice day my friend.
Cozart Avatar
October 27, 2019 at 6:20 PM
Thanks for reading, Darlene.
Poetry Avatar
October 26, 2019 at 7:45 PM
Send some warmth this way Dale
Cozart Avatar
October 27, 2019 at 6:21 PM
Thank you for reading.
Lawless Avatar
October 26, 2019 at 5:48 PM
There you go again Dale making Mother Nature blush......
Cozart Avatar
October 28, 2019 at 2:33 PM
Now I get it. Thanks!
Lawless Avatar
October 27, 2019 at 9:24 AM
because....the feminine wile will often demurely deflect praise of their inherent beauty....IMNSHO
Cozart Avatar
October 26, 2019 at 6:39 PM
Thanks, John. I didn't say anything naughty, why did she blush?
Andresen Avatar
October 26, 2019 at 2:55 PM
- A wonderful description, Dale - Best wishes in the contest :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Cozart Avatar
October 26, 2019 at 4:07 PM
Thanks so much, Anne-Lise
Hamilton Avatar
October 26, 2019 at 2:37 PM
This is a stunning write Dale, a clear winner to me!
Cozart Avatar
October 26, 2019 at 4:07 PM
Thanks for stopping by, John.
Inman Avatar
October 26, 2019 at 2:14 PM
A wonderful use of imagery Dale.
Cozart Avatar
October 26, 2019 at 4:08 PM
Thank you, James.
Pigeon Tart Avatar
October 26, 2019 at 1:14 PM
Stunning piece Dale, just gorgeous. A winner for me, good luck in the contest! xomo
Cozart Avatar
October 26, 2019 at 2:00 PM
Thanks very much, Maureen.
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace