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Winter's Gateway

November, as the poets say -
autumn's demise, winter's gateway.
Its shortened days and longer nights
descending, death is in her sights:
leaves fall, as is their yearly fate,
while beasts prepare to hibernate.

November, as my lady lies
so silent, moving not her eyes -
with ashen skin, lips cold as death,
I wait in vain to feel her breath.
Her soul immortal, this I know,
yet in this life I'll grieve her so.


Written 26 November 2020

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Jennifer Proxenos Date: 12/13/2020 10:56:00 AM Congratulations - a wonderful entry for the contest - your creative poems as a always a joy to read John - a Wintry death, it is sad to watch, but as we are part of the cycle of life so are these barren trees. Hugs and blessings my friend, Jennifer. Login to Reply John Watt Date: 12/13/2020 11:41:00 AM You're so right Jennifer, nature provides us with an allegory of our own life arc. Thanks for the read and the lovely comment, you are such a good friend. Hugs and blessings ~ John

Sara Kendrick Date: 12/9/2020 2:13:00 PM Ahh!! November has it chill for sure. Very descriptive and expressive winning work. Way to go. Congrats. Sara Login to Reply John Watt Date: 12/9/2020 2:30:00 PM Thank you very much for the visit, Sara. Hope you are enjoying your December, as odd as this year's Christmas season will be!

Sam Kauffman Date: 12/6/2020 7:42:00 PM Look at you at the top of the draft! Congratulations on this very sad poem so beautfully crafted my friend. Your descriptive ability shines through the cold mists of November but ending with your faith that is so alive! Login to Reply John Watt Date: 12/6/2020 7:48:00 PM Thank you for the shining words of appreciation and the congrats, my friend. Your comments are always so winsome and celebratory!

Jack Horne Date: 12/6/2020 12:50:00 PM such a sad but beautiful write Login to Reply John Watt Date: 12/6/2020 7:47:00 PM Your words are much appreciated, Jack.

Kim Rodrigues Date: 12/3/2020 5:18:00 AM Beautiful Login to Reply John Watt Date: 12/5/2020 4:52:00 PM Thank you, my friend! ~ John

Paghunda Zahid Date: 12/3/2020 3:02:00 AM Sad but beautiful. Nicely penned. Good luck for the contest. Login to Reply John Watt Date: 12/5/2020 4:52:00 PM Thank you for the kind visit, Paghunda ~ John

Jennifer Fenn Date: 12/3/2020 12:12:00 AM Wow John, I like how you mix melancholy with beauty. Great job! Login to Reply John Watt Date: 12/4/2020 11:09:00 PM Thank you, Jennifer. Very kind of you to say ~ John

Hilo Poet Date: 12/2/2020 6:07:00 PM Thank you for sharing a wondrous part of yourself, John (forgive my misjudgment of the rules: 'aabbcc, aabbcc...' and not 'aabbcc, ddeeff...'), my compliments on your honorable placement, Aloha! William Login to Reply John Watt Date: 12/4/2020 11:08:00 PM Thank you, William! i'm sorry I misread your rules, my bad. Thanks for another great contest and for seeing fit to include me in your winner's list! ~ John

Charles Messina Date: 12/1/2020 5:12:00 AM So glad to see this was fictional, John. You had me worried my friend. Beautifully and brilliantly written as are all your poems. Good luck in the contest...stay well. ~Charlie Login to Reply John Watt Date: 12/1/2020 11:43:00 AM I thought it might be useful to add that this was fictional so my friends wouldn't be worried. Thank you for your very warm words of support my friend, you are one of the good encouragers at this site with your contests and comments. Enjoy your day ~ John

FJ Thomas Date: 11/30/2020 12:40:00 PM Definitely an unexpected ending; wow John... the beginning of a story! Login to Reply John Watt Date: 11/30/2020 1:08:00 PM Thank you for the kind comment today, and for your great blog. It's nice to have you back at the site. Warm wishes ~ John

Connie Marcum Wong Date: 11/28/2020 1:36:00 PM Andrea and I have the same taste in poetry John. This was really beautiful though poignant. I am Faving it too. Your last stanza moved me to tears my friend. I hope this is a top winner for you. xxoo Login to Reply John Watt Date: 11/29/2020 12:08:00 PM Thank you ever so much, dear Connie. I do think the three of us have very similar taste in poetry. I'm so grateful for the fave and your lovely words. I hope to have a response to your wonderful email going out sometime today. Blessings and virtual hugs to you ~ John

Sandra Adams Date: 11/27/2020 8:02:00 PM hauntingly beautiful... good write John, best wishes in the contest! hugs Login to Reply John Watt Date: 11/28/2020 12:12:00 AM Thank you for the lovely comment, Sandra. Hugs ~ John

Andrea Dietrich Date: 11/27/2020 7:04:00 PM thanks for your comments today, John They are always much appreciated. Login to Reply John Watt Date: 11/28/2020 12:11:00 AM You're always welcome, Andrea.

Kim Rodrigues Date: 11/27/2020 10:07:00 AM So wonderful, dark, Wintery and all! Login to Reply Kim Rodrigues Date: 11/27/2020 1:26:00 PM Every so often I must write of vampires...lol. I grew up watching “Dark Shadows.” John Watt Date: 11/27/2020 11:23:00 AM My dark muse made a rare appearance. Thanks for the comment, my friend

Andrea Dietrich Date: 11/26/2020 5:51:00 PM wow, you did this splendidly, John. I really love how you took it from "nature" to portraying the death of a dear life. A FAVE Login to Reply John Watt Date: 11/26/2020 11:45:00 PM So happy for the fave, dear friend! Thank you for the wonderful feedback too ~ John

Gershon Wolf Date: 11/26/2020 3:38:00 PM John, here's a bit of holiday humor for you. I read the last line of the first stanzas as 'and breasts prepare to hibernate.' lol. Now I can't read what I'm sure is a fine poem with a straight face. Holiday Joy, O Boy! :) gw Login to Reply John Watt Date: 11/26/2020 3:53:00 PM I think the good Dr. Freud might have a lot to say regarding your poetry reading proclivities, lol! Thanks for the smiles ~ Sigmund

Darlene De Beaulieu Date: 11/26/2020 10:48:00 AM Hello John Watt a beautiful deep poem created by you. Enjoy your day my friend. Login to Reply John Watt Date: 11/26/2020 3:54:00 PM Thank you, Darlene! Enjoy your day, my friend ~ John

Eve Roper Date: 11/26/2020 8:27:00 AM Lovely deep write, John, Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Hugs Eve Login to Reply John Watt Date: 11/26/2020 3:55:00 PM Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, dear Eve. Thank you for the sweet comment. Hugs ~ John

Regina Mcintosh Date: 11/26/2020 8:26:00 AM This is extraordinary and definitely a fave for me - You should surely win for this, my friend. It's a breath of fresh air... you have given me something to smile about. Happy Thanksgiving and God bless your heart Login to Reply John Watt Date: 11/26/2020 3:55:00 PM Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, dear Gina. Thank you for the sweet comment. Hugs ~ John

Silent One Date: 11/26/2020 2:54:00 AM This is so haunting and you created that with so few words... Great choice of words which give it that impact.. Login to Reply John Watt Date: 11/28/2020 4:53:00 PM Thank you SO, that means a lot to me. ~ John

Jenna Logan Date: 11/26/2020 2:17:00 AM Each line of your Lay emphasized your imagery, John. Your choice of photo fits the cold, dank feeling, and your second line is fantastic! A wonderful entry. Login to Reply John Watt Date: 11/28/2020 4:53:00 PM Thank you very much for your thoughtful comment, Jenna. You are such an encourager. Your words are always appreciated ~ John