Ann Peck Poet Quintain (English)

Notes About The Poem

August 17, 

For the contest,"Wake Me Up When September Ends,"  by Daniel Henry Rogers

September

September’s song sings of the last
days of summer’s madcap affair
of lazy days and moonlight’s cast
on dancing in the midnight air
being together as a pair

September reminds of time past
when sunshine felt a sudden pall
we tried to make the sunshine last
but the boys heeded war time's call
they left when leaves began to fall

There’s sadness in September’s name
The crowded beach then could not last
with empty spaces not the same
September comes and soon is past
Its memories remain too vast.

I still love summer’s grand allure.
But September I can’t endure    DHR

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Andrea Dietrich September 10, 2026 at 8:58 PM What a wonderful well written quintain this is on September. I don't know if it won, but gosh I hope it at least got HM. Love it!

Gary Radice August 27, 2026 at 11:50 AM Ann I believe this to be up there with your very best work. I love it. Your rhyming and cadence seamlessly bridges and contrasts the last carefree days of summer with the onset of war and its tragic consequences. Cheers - Gary Ann Peck September 3, 2026 at 8:20 AM Gary, Thank you so very much! Yes, the poem is about the Vietnam War, but is true for so many wars: the leaving and not coming back. Just awful times. "when will we ever learn..."

I Am Anaya August 25, 2026 at 11:21 AM Dear Anne, you've made the transition of summer's love & charm into September's deep emotional scars of loss and human cost, & the sadness of War. A pleasure reading. Best of luck in the contest. 🌹 Ann Peck September 3, 2026 at 8:26 AM Thank you so much, Anaya. War is about mindless power, and thus, there will probably never be "the last war."

Sotto Poet August 17, 2026 at 1:52 PM Ann, your great poem nicely depicts the shift from summer to September. Images and feelings induce nostalgia and grief. It's a touching look at time and memories. Ann Peck August 19, 2026 at 6:07 PM Thank you, Sotto. The sadness is of the Vietnam War.