Get Your Premium Membership

Measures (Repost)

...inspired by 'Especially When The October Wind' by Dylan Thomas October blows a symphony of sighs with blustry gusts that presage winter's bleak arrival as I shuffle through the park, kaleidoscope of leaves a welcome prize. Swings unswung on, roundabouts without the rush of children stutter to a halt. October blood suffuses to the hilt my heavy heart, and calms a soul in doubt. Images, bright images that have no need of language, the pictures tell the tale, a gang of schoolboys, picnic-packed, hale and hearty, hoping for a hint of snow, their teacher, raven-black, with no command. Oaks stand guard, ramrod-straight like sentries, rhododendrons, strong and sprawling bushes, a place to smoke illicit contraband. The dial at sunlight's pleasure points to time, the weather vane makes plain the wind's direction, no need of clock or any vain contraption to guage the day, its reason or its rhyme. The stillness of the morning and the day-glow, and meadow grasses blessing me with softness, the rippled waters thrilling me with sweetness, what other measures do I need to know? October blows a symphony of sighs, of spells and incantations for the wise, who, weather-worn and beaten, seek the skies or haunt the woodlands for a siren's eyes, for nature is the most compelling teacher, companion to my father and my mother, she cavils, then is kind, just like a brother, and binds our earthly tapestry together.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2009




Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 5/18/2012 7:07:00 PM
Beautiful October so eloquently displayed in these words. An imaginative use of our language to describe our love affair with this time of year.
Login to Reply
Date: 4/29/2009 8:24:00 AM
Where did you ever learn to write like this? I am so envious! It's like I can feel, see, hear, and taste your words. I love it! I am stuck in a rhyming scheme that I would give anything to escape from. But either I am too scared to try--or I just don't know how to do it! Awesome piece!!
Login to Reply
Date: 4/27/2009 11:13:00 PM
I think I've seen this poem before, Keith, but it was a pleasure to read it again. I love Dylan Thomas, especially "Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night." Your poem is a nice tribute to his work. Do you remember the old Simon & Garfunkel song with the lyrics: "When I talk about Dylan, they think I'm talking about Dylan Thomas...whoever he was." I remember laughing when I first heard it. Hope all is going well for you. Love, carolyn
Login to Reply

Book: Reflection on the Important Things