Best Autumnal Poems
I remember clinging on to the naked branch,
which had been my home since the season of birth.
In my days of botanical glory,
flourishing and nourishing in nature
I would spread my vibrant wings of luscious green,
blooming alongside a canopy of compatriots,
shading the world from bright sunlight.
At night we would shimmer under moonlight,
sheltering sleeping nests weaved by 'expecting' birds.
When only baby feathers remained,
and as birdfeeders slowly emptied,
skies altered their aura in hues of grey,
one by one my 'fellow stems' started to fall.
Helpless I watched them decay under trampling feet,
each step sucking the life from them.
Rampant rain arrived soaking the veins of my life,
dripping tear drops upon the ground beneath me.
I wondered if the sun would return to show mercy,
hydrating my crumbling sallowish skin,
but in its goodbye,
I was left abandoned in the cold.
Wondering
is this my destiny?
A temporary existence -
why was I not formed in an evergreen shield?
Lost in thought, abruptly,
the winds began blowing stronger,
rain pelted more persistently -
my grip became weaker
so I let go screaming
I remember falling in slow motion,
being blown around,
twisting and twirling, up and down,
as my
'whole life flashed before me'
Car headlights flashing,
I was defenceless to my upcoming doom.
My end, a predictable fate of fragile vulnerability,
was near, as I prepared for my last sigh.
but before I took my last breath,
I fell upon a brown eyed,
giggling child's face,
tangling in her curly hair -
"Mummy, can I keep it."
she asked
as she placed me carefully in her schoolbag.
in between the pages of her diary..
Vistas of autumnal flame set the fiery meadows afire
Where song of the winds wheezes in auburn breeze
And gold, red, brown whispers kindle tunes of a lyre
Rustling in cool air, melodies of leaves, falling from trees
Where song of the winds wheezes in auburn breeze
Pumpkin dreams meet to greet tricks of Halloween treat
Rustling in cool air, melodies of leaves, falling from trees
As carpets of crimson colors crunch beneath eager feet
Pumpkin dreams meet to greet tricks of Halloween treat
And gold, red, brown whispers kindle tunes of a lyre
As carpets of crimson colors crunch beneath eager feet,
Vistas of autumnal flame set the fiery meadows afire
October 5, 2019
Placed 4th: Poet’s October pantoum cash prize poetry contest
Sponsor: William Kekaula
HM:Strand choice 5 contest by Brian Strand
In depth of woods how autumn dazzles, swirling beauty of ornate décor,
Waltzing with ochre hickory, birch; whirling flaxen moods of sycamore,
Gracing my view upon blazing foothills, where vistas gamboge scroll,
Bedecking maples, swaying rhythms, with fiery red of shimmying knoll.
Zephyrs of west rustle demeanor of black tupelo, fluttering leaves gold,
Glistening burnt orange of sugar maple, revelers in sundown behold,
As remnants of gilded twilight beams, glimmer in purpled afterglow,
Weaving motifs of fall in tapestries idyllic, of blushing eventide aglow.
Autumn’s grandeur glows, as crisp frost gleams, mellowing overcast days,
Where gelid winds shudder trees, foretelling imminent wintry malaise,
Meandering with leaves falling gently; carpeting dyed, chromatic meadows,
As the arena of fall’s resplendent show, shimmers in elongated shadows.
Harvest Moon enamors sights, appealing to fervor of romantic glance,
Enthralled watching dance of stars, attuned to tenor of cosmic expanse,
Gliding over a charming night, wooing souls glued to autumn’s ruby fire,
Flaunting pizazz panoramic~ a farewell of fall-splendor, in cerise attire.
Turning life’s pages of albums, treasured memories rekindle seasons past,
Thankful for the abundance of goodwill~ heavenly blessings destiny cast;
As conversations savor aroma of pumpkin pies; buttery, nutty, apple tarts,
Spending time with family, friends; exchanging missives of kindred hearts.
Yesterday has passed,
today I shall rise and dream,
let mourning stars fade.
Some flowers may wilt,
Yet fragrance remains when skies-
bleed cantaloupe hope.
Ruby crowned kinglets,
croon and rest on bleak brown shrubs,
as rays of autumn-
swiftly glide amongst,
peridot promises wrapped
in crisp memories.
But when ink comes as
wind-swept secrets tumbling in,
russet streaks of sun,
I'll stretch honey dipped
fingers, to sketch your saffron,
name across twilight.
Maybe dance of leaves,
and flurry hues would define,
unseen tomorrows.
As weightless amber,
carries warm crimson kisses,
Sealed in spiced silence.
So when rosy moon
returns amidst silver clouds
sing sweet songs of love.
You and I, we are-
poetry woven in red,
beneath gloaming gold,
painting crystal clear wishes.
AUTUMNAL WHIMSY
a late blooming few
rose leaves with mottled silver
autumnal whimsy
Oh! how gracefully the trees, flaunting splendor lilt
Swaying autumn’s palettes in rhythms of winds ruby
As the sun is setting, flaming glow of gamboge skies
Amber breeze is blushing rosy glimmer of eventide
And robins are excavating pecking on decaying lawn
Where ducks are ambling, ogling seductive bond
Amid people strolling, pausing to gaze at opaline arc
Floating crimson filaments on tinted purple canvas
Enhanced by falling colors whirling mellowed vibes
In twilight’s golden ambiance alluring romantic eyes
Gleam of eve’s fading, ceding reign to peeking moon
As scent of you appeals, quiescently enveloping me
Enchanting where I sit, under twinkling stellar magic
Enticed by euphony of mockingbird’s sensuous song
Articulating for me eloquently, love is never too far
When autumn blazes passions titillating lovers’ hearts
October 20, 2021
Placed 1st: Let’s Mix It Up Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Constance La France
Theme: Nature
Unrhymed couplet/Unrhymed imagism/Free verse
Crimson vistas blaze sapphire sky
Glinting twilight in lovers’ eyes
When desires smile and tempos rise
As autumn’s scarlet feelings vie
Whirling appeal of amber breeze
Sepia dreams crooning hearts seize
Tinting leaves in fiery red dye
Autumnal hints ignite romance
Stealing glance of alluring stance
And lilting vibes, gilded winds sigh
As moonlit mountains enchant sights
Gazing stars of seductive nights
Hoisting tenor of passions high
When embers of love boldly flare
Kissing lips of amorous stare
Crimson vistas blaze sapphire sky
As autumn’s scarlet feelings vie
Tinting leaves in fiery red dye
And lilting vibes, gilded winds sigh
Hoisting tenor of passions high
July 28, 2020
Poem of the day on July 30, 2020
Placed 1st: Constanza poetry contest
Sponsor: Joseph May
Eight syllables per line (howmanysyllables.com)
It’s autumn time in America,
the colors are changing ...
(it’s alt right to gasp in whited disbelief)
as poplar majority, quaking Aspen leaves
slowly fall off
the John Birch branches
Minority bad weather report
says with autumnal census certainty,
that the colors are changing
irrevocably
And as such,
the changing of the times
has weed hateful nettle disgust
rooted permanently
Forest green consequences are seen
ever spreading
with solyent rapidity ...
(it’s alt right to paint a Snow White
enchanted cottage fantasy)
As the waxen ruling majority,
manifestly, cope with
becoming the newest minority
These be the autumnal days —
the kaleidoscope, tabernacle feast harvest
befalling America
Changing of the color landscape
is being coldly received,
winter frostily ...
(it’s alt right to fiery bemoan in ash-white grief)
The reaping season of Autumn
has duly arrived in America,
with equinox clarity
Equal time for daydreams and nightmares
demand sober vigilance,
as the latter-day fermented rain
begins to foment fall —
An end gathering of
rainbow intolerance disparaging,
mightily ...
(really, it’s alt right to cry with pale hope rantings)
Winter teardrop flakes of uncertainty
are alabaster doubtful falling
America now ghostly faces
the haunting reality of changing colors,
changing what was to what will be
Autumnal days of whine and wilted white roses:
a nostalgic weep binge of dead leaves ...
Drunken ivory desires
porcelain pining
for past skin demographic superiority
potpourri of wreaths
splatter night rhinestones with aisles
of gold cashmere talc,
stairways of herons ascend
* sky flooding autumn light bulbs
heaven drips of earth's
elegance, drops of fern boughs
collect hands calmly
chiming psalms of fall's remains *
a mantle bathed by wet stars
(c)Contest of Brian Strand
The naked night, the wailing wind;
leaves in their flight are summers end.
Betwixt occult and morning’s light
moon stands, it’s her birthright.
Ghost-nests revealed in abandoned limbs;
wind wails and peals its adieu hymns.
Birds left will feed on frozen meals;
squirrels will plead for fruity fields.
As Earth beds down for an annual sleep;
wear no frown no crawlies will creep.
Parchment colors paint the ground,
Fires for lovers will abound.
In autumn as the Vandyke leaves fall, lovers truly have a ball.
When winter’s cold molests the air, spiced rum and cocoa we’ll all share.
autumn's palette colours fauna and flora - amber and brown shades spread
golden flames too timid to enkindle - last rose turns rusty from red
tears of mercy bleed from heaven's garden - dewdrops drip on naked thorns
clouds compose in charcoal clumps of miserable gloom - chill in the air
in the silence of mute birds - flock of feathers emigrate - meadows sleep
moon shivers in lonesome polluted horizons - darkness veils daylight
morning frost shrouds evergreen foliage - icicles and iced cobwebs
inhale arctic zephyrs from blustery breeze - breathe out white bitter breaths
gently nature expires leaving a trail of decay - kingdom of death
Feel free to call me an ostrich
not because I'm an omnivore
We recognize the story of the ostrich
that sticks its head in the sand
when something happens
- something we don't wish to acknowledge
or look in the eyes
Pathos and ethos in a deeper dimension
It's easier to look down on your own shoes,
than to look up and look out
Listen to my thoughts, unfiltered
Can we find peace in this time of year
when the branches are exposed to wind and cold
- screams in a clear and distinct voice
Have eyes for the beauty of the rain and withered leaves
Follow the scents as a blood dog
taste the fruits of autumn with a pale mouth
"Light in the dark" is a fine expression, even if it is worn out
A colorful clown without laughter
heady phase of confidence and views
- straight in the back to the last
The air tastes of cool iron and salt
when the sea shows muscles
Life's canvas on an easel
hold your senses on alert
A time to identify that which was lost
- rest in the warmth of the past
as the wrinkles in my grandmother's fair face
As Autumn exhibits seasonal changes that abound
Undeniable is the glorious beauty that can be found
Tree foliage is a burnished canopy, gilded by the sun
Upon the land, there is harvesting work to be done
Mother Nature ripens fields, crops of yellow maize
North winds begin to blow, and shortened are days
Autumn paints with colors of rust, crimson and gold
Lovely are hills of maple and birch, visions to behold
Vagabond avian fly south, in need of warmer weather
I am in awe of their formation as they flock together
September stirs my soul with picturesque perfection
Inspiring me for the next month with rapt reflection
October, harbinger of Halloween ghosts and treats
Nights for dancing beneath the stars on city streets
Splendid vistas of Fall are culpable for my heart beats
September 27, 2021
Autumn Acrostic Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Caren Krutsinger
As school children scurry to school
like the multi-colored leaves that will soon
be hurried along the roads by October winds,
we feel and we know
that a new season is upon us.
Stifling summer’s ardor, autumn almost seems
to hum a melancholy tune
as its breezes caress a multitude of trees,
and peaks of distant mountains are garlanded
by fleecy clouds in dawn’s gleaming light.
A new ardor of its own is brought by autumn
as trees become ablaze
with a rhapsody of colors -
vermillion, amber, rust, gold.
Apples red and green adorn orchards’ trees.
Sometimes at dusk we can see
when persimmon skies might fuse with terrain
as the sun descends
on rows upon rows of orange pumpkins,
round and lying lonely beneath the glow
of a luminous full moon.
Days crawl a bit faster
into lengthening cooling nights.
About midway through October,
an Indian summer may appear
to fulfill my sun-drenched dreams
before the season proceeds into November -
floating those last glowing days
away.
Frost touches down, and radiant leaves,
like small yellow finches or cardinals.
soar through the air one last time
before settling and eventually crumbling
onto ground growing dull and brown.
Oh, lovely autumn, may your bright days linger
until they pale.
Please, autumn, let winter stall before we fall
into its cold clasp.
Rustling blades of ruby float on my front lawn,
gazebo flooded with gold and chartreuse leaves-
I sit at my bay window, in awe I fawn,
Autumn's pure beauty comforts and relieves.
So much more than summertime perceives.
For hope is found in Autumn’s crimson tide,
the summer has ended with no time to spare-
Inviting mother nature as our precious guide,
no other season created could compare.
I bow my head and say a grateful prayer.
Saffron skies float over the rising sun,
the east is full of grand medallion lights-
My daughter jumping in the leaves for fun,
then roasting marshmallows on chilly nights.
Autumnal marvel bestows splendid sights.
September 19, 2019
Chantelle Anne Cooke
Fall Into Fall Poetry Contest