Where Tranquility's Quintessence Abides

I start my afternoon hike up a mountain trail.
October’s sunlight, the vestige of Indian Summer,
dapples my exposed skin with welcomed warmth.
Sun’s rays are gilded tendrils cutting through pines
whose needles’ sweet scent
                        I breathe deeply in.

I can almost taste the breeze as it rushes past,
waltzing through the many trees.
The sky, immersed in azure, is heavenly!
I imagine its clouds having been swirled by the wind
                      with which I wish I too were dancing.

Bright foliage surrounds me.
I am bedazzled by them as they ostensibly flaunt
hues of scarlet, rich amber honey, russet, and tangerine -
                      an ocean of windswept trees!

My destination is a pristine lake where new trees
shimmer - mirrored in its crystal blue.
One oak is so tall it seems like a steeple reaching upward.
Its limbs have formed an arbor which beautifies
the view that greets my eyes.
Acquiescing to enthrallment, I linger there
where tranquility’s quintessence abides,
                     inhaling October’s unique potpourri.

Dusk will soon swallow up the day, 
so I begin my descent. Birds twitter; leaves whisper.
Seeing me, a timid rabbit scampers behind a bush.
Heaven seems fused with the terrain, 
igniting my world with iridescence 
as against a splash of persimmon, seagulls soar.
How I would love to glide home like those glorious birds.
Intoxicated by the rhapsody of colors, 
I come to the bottom of the trail with just enough time
to reach my home’s comfort before night’s chill 
                                                              envelops all.

Dec. 16, 2022
For Eve Roper's Still-Life Autumn Scene Poetry Contest
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Peck Avatar
December 29, 2022 at 4:44 PM
Just beautiful, Andrea. So full of color. I especially loved, "heaven seems fused with the terrain, igniting my world with iridescence..." Congratulations on First!
Goldsmith Avatar
December 29, 2022 at 8:54 AM
Congratulations on your win. A lovely write/story. I love your line, "Intoxicated by the rhapsody of colors," The pretty colors. Have a Blessed/Healthy/Great New Year 2023............
Alex Avatar
December 28, 2022 at 9:02 PM
Again, another beautiful work. Standing foremost first. Congratulations!
Roper Avatar
December 28, 2022 at 5:37 PM
Andrea, your poem was full of imagery, feeling, and sound; I was with you every step of the way. Congratulations on your win. Many blessings to you
Andresen Avatar
December 19, 2022 at 2:53 AM
- An amazing poem, Andrea ... love it :) - You have already received the comments that I wanted to write ... I don't need to repeat - hugs
Kavanagh  Avatar
December 19, 2022 at 2:22 AM
A super poem Andrea, packed with amazing imagery, yet not overloaded, very difficult to strike the right balance in these type of free verse writes, like I’d know! but it works for me anyway, cheers David
George Avatar
December 18, 2022 at 9:12 PM
Lovely.... ! The scene you have painted is heavenly and I feel your internal contentment while descending down. This goes right into my FAVE.
Eslinger Avatar
December 18, 2022 at 5:32 PM
Your excellence took e to join you after just a line or two. I sincerely am so glad for your accomplished poet’s penning, for while docs won’t allow me to walk across my room at present, here in your lines, I completely hiked with you on a forest trail, touched by sun and radiant nature’s autumnal highlights. Bless you. Bless your pen. And Merry Christmas! sally
Poet Avatar
December 18, 2022 at 8:17 AM
Beautiful and poetic, your adventure has really been. You took me along with your detailed narration, depicting each stage and the magnificent scene you beheld with astounding clarity.
Watt Avatar
December 18, 2022 at 1:00 AM
I love this SO MUCH... I love your poetic view from the mountaintop: lakes, forests, multi-colored leaves, scampering wildlife, swirling clouds. Your phrasing is beautiful: "Sun’s rays are gilded tendrils cutting through pines", "Intoxicated by the rhapsody of colors", "an ocean of windswept trees", "Acquiescing to enthrallment, I linger there" to name but 4. I wish I had written this one! A FAV for me... Best wishes, my friend
Bayles Avatar
December 17, 2022 at 8:48 PM
How nice- "I wish I were dancing." Such passion in this vivid poem. It takes me to a wonderful place.
Lawless Avatar
December 17, 2022 at 8:01 AM
THAT TITLE....I had to stop and read to find out .... Where tranquility's Quintessence Abides......Beautifully done Andrea, and thanks for allowing me to join you on this walk.
Gregory Avatar
December 17, 2022 at 7:45 AM
amazing, scenic and freeing, the wholeness of nature is new each time our journey interact with its many elements. It's lovely how vivid these imagery are, you transmit beauty in simple and interesting way. Nicely done Andrea.
DiMino Avatar
December 17, 2022 at 1:59 AM
You took me there, every footstep, every enchanted vision you saw and brilliantly translated. Wonderful, poetic journey. thank you.
Parker Avatar
December 17, 2022 at 12:56 AM
Been there...in my dreams!! Lovely walk, AD. Contest winner prediction. =;o]
Daniel Avatar
December 16, 2022 at 8:20 PM
Wow! This is brilliant, Andrea, what I have started writing is nothing good at all...
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