John Watt Poet Villanelle

Notes About The Poem

October, When the Leaves Intensify

October, when the leaves intensify -
colored explosions: orange, yellow, red,
breezes to temper summer's heat draw nigh.

There's one last month of days with lightened sky
before our Daylight Saving goes to bed;
October, when the leaves intensify.

A campsite will my kinfolk occupy,
by hot bonfire we'll sing and break the bread,
breezes to temper summer's heat draw nigh.

So many sports events to satisfy
this fan: World Series appetites are fed,
October, when the leaves intensify.

The crisp night air, hot chocolate, pumpkin pie,
warm sweaters, gloves, and scarves become widespread,
Breezes to temper summer's heat draw nigh.

Sweet treats for trick-or-treaters who stop by,
the pirates, princesses, and walking dead.
October, when the leaves intensify;
Breezes to temper summer's heat draw nigh.

Written 12 July 2020

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Andrea Dietrich November 8, 2020 at 9:38 AM Did you say this was your first or second villanelle. YOu did exceptionally well with that. I would have thought this one would have been a winner for the contest it was first intended . I remember when I first read it, thinking what a great job you had done!! It really captures so many good things about october!! John Watt November 8, 2020 at 10:37 PM Yes, it was my second. I still have much to learn, plus I don't think adding baseball added much for what started out as a nature poem, but I was being honest, it really is my favorite thing about October. Thanks for the uplifting comment, my friend!

Rercy Zola-Zaba July 23, 2020 at 3:47 AM All I can say is I absolutely love love this poem John! Such talent you have been bestowed with! Blessings John Watt July 29, 2020 at 5:47 PM Thank you for your wonderful appreciation, Rercy. I am humbled ~ John

Kenneth Cheney July 17, 2020 at 11:09 AM O hushed October morning mild. To borrow a line from Robert Frost. John this poem paints a lovely picture of one of my favorite times of the year. Thanks for writing it. John Watt July 17, 2020 at 12:55 PM ...'Thy leaves have ripened in the fall / Tomorrow's wind, if it be wild / Should waste them all". It's nice to have a fellow Frost fan, Kenneth... he's my favorite, and has had a sizable influence. Thank you for the wonderful comment.

Jhinuk Mukherjee July 16, 2020 at 1:23 AM So beautiful. Just what it requires to make a brilliant poem. John Watt July 16, 2020 at 2:26 AM Thank you for the visit and lovely words, Jhinuk.

Caren Krutsinger July 14, 2020 at 3:59 AM There is no way to improve a poem like this John. Do not change a word. John Watt July 14, 2020 at 12:41 PM What a kind thing for a poet friend to say, Caren! I always enjoy your sweet comments.

Jennifer Proxenos July 13, 2020 at 12:18 PM I love your poem and adore your pic. I have made this write a fave. on both counts - well penned John. Blessings, Jennifer. John Watt July 13, 2020 at 1:15 PM Thank you so much for the fave, my lovely friend. Hope all is well with you and yours ~ John

Kim Rodrigues July 13, 2020 at 6:29 AM John, I love these two lines: Sweet treats for trick-or-treaters who stop by,/ the pirates, princesses, and walking dead.// LOL on the contrast. I greatly enjoy your writing! John Watt July 13, 2020 at 9:34 AM Thank you, Kim! I'm praying that same prayer! Kim Rodrigues July 13, 2020 at 6:30 AM I also pray that as the weather changes that this awful virus disappears! Hoping!

Michelle Faulkner July 12, 2020 at 11:00 PM This is certainly intense and passionate, love the lines 'breezes to temper summer's heat draw nigh' - October is my second favorite month (after September, as you know!) and you have brought it to glorious life! John Watt July 12, 2020 at 11:10 PM You set the bar p-r-e-t-t-y high with September Splendor, my friend! I still can hope for a second place... Thank you for the wonderful comment ~ John

Sam Kauffman July 12, 2020 at 5:46 PM If the watchword if summer is "go," the watchword of October is "come." Come home from vacation - back to school - back to work - come to the world series! John, you have captured the spirit, flavors, sights and fragrance of October in your villanelle! I could wrap up in this poem like a comfortable third base mitt! Good luck in the contest! Blessings! John Watt July 12, 2020 at 5:52 PM Not many can relate to the baseball portion, but I knew you could, Sam, and it really is a big part of my love of October. I love what you said about going out in summer and coming back in fall, part of the patterns that make the seasonal carousel so attractive. Thanks for the visit, my friend.

Andrea Dietrich July 12, 2020 at 3:31 PM Funny how you did not choose your birth month, and neither did I. I chose YOUR birth month, and you chose the month of my season Fall!! I think I would put October as about my 4th favorite month! I don't care about the sports but love all the other stuff you mentioned. Awesome alternating lines you gave this! John Watt July 12, 2020 at 4:44 PM Funny, I would have guessed your season to be summer. I'd say December is tied with October for favorite, but I expect to see a lot of December entries, trying to be different.

Tom Cunningham July 12, 2020 at 5:20 AM A beautiful month it is too John with all the amazing colours nature has to offer. Good luck in the contest Tom John Watt July 12, 2020 at 3:14 PM Totally agree, Tom. Thanks for stopping by. ~ John

Jenna Logan July 12, 2020 at 5:19 AM You've chosen the month I also favor, John. There's something refreshing about the crisp air, the football season, and no more Summer sweltering heat! Great choice of the accompanying photo. Best of luck in the contest. Jenna Logan July 13, 2020 at 9:58 AM Buccaneers! John Watt July 12, 2020 at 3:13 PM So much to love about this month, I had to leave out some aspects like picking apples, drinking cider, and eating apple pie. Out of curiosity, which football team do you root for?