Linger here—wait, hereafter–
listen to the gulls call in laughter.
Rest awhile in this in-between
the sky so blue, the trees still green—
soon, the russet-leaves will fall,
and we’ll recall–
memories dim–rose-scent and sun-kissed skin
as icy fingers stroke your chin.
A quadrille for dVerse. Linda has asked us to use the word linger. We’re just about at the autumnal equinox, and the weather seems perfectly balanced. I wish it would linger like this for awhile.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Yes we are in that in-between time that is just so wonderful. As is this quadrille. 🙂
Aww–thank you so much!💙
🙂 🧡
What a beautiful quadrille Merril. Love the ‘in-between’ time of year.
Thank you so much, Linda! This time of year is beautiful.
Yes, it is.
Trips off the tongue beautifully and pulls the images to mind.
Gigantic Hugs
What a lovely comment! Thank you, David. I might do a reading of this at some point. It’s too noisy here, today. 😀 Hugs back to you!
your quadrille is a great place to linger as i soak it up.
Thank you, Rog. I’m pleased you think so.
I know well the longing for the linger. Your poem evokes it beautifully!
Thank you so much, Liz!
You’re welcome, Merril. As I’ve gotten older, I’m finding September the most poignant of months.
I understand completely.
“Rest awhile in this in-between” – I like the invitation in this line.
Autumn is such a transitional season of slow coloring and falling. I will rest awhile in this space today.
Thank you,
Ali
Thank you so much, Ali!
Oh, I want to linger. Not ready for icy fingers. Beautiful write.
such tantalising wistfulness, perfect for this prompt!
Thank you so much!
Warm Wishes as you linger in the remains of your summer
Much💖love
Thank you very much, Gillena!💙
Beautiful, Merril. Our autumn is never quite long enough. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you very much, Jill. Early autumn is beautiful. Late autumn not so much. 😀
Oh those icy fingers, hope they are still far away. I agree, our weather right now is sublime.
Thank you! Yes, I’m not eager for the cold.
The rhyming is so natural in this, love that last line! ❄
Thank you so much, Tricia! That is very kind.
Beautifully done. I hope the icy fingers on my chin will wait awhile longer!
Thank you. I agree!
Yes, I want to breathe this moment, in between seasons, deeply. Lovely one Merril.
Thank you so much, Grace! 💙
I also hope this season lingers…your rhymes are exquisite, Merril!
Thank you very much, Lynn!
Wonderful, you’re a master of rhyme, something we don’t find much anymore!
Thank you so much, Rene. Yes, I know it’s not fashionable. I say my rhyming poems for my blog. 😀
I love rhyme when you do it. It’s lovely!
Thank you again. 😘
😘
I do love autumn’s colors, but… if only “this in-between” would linger longer.
Yes, I agree. I’m not found of the late autumn dreariness.
I feel the same way about this time of year. Please, may it linger. Beautiful photo and poem, Merril.
Thank you so much, Lisa.
You’re very welcome.
‘listen to the gulls call in laughter.’ – that’s exactly what it sounds like! Beautiful quadrille of seasonal change, Merril.
Thank you very much, Ingrid!
Beautifully evoked as we drift into winter
Thanks so much, Derrick.
these rhymes were punchy and didactic in their impact – pure pleasure to read
“Rest awhile in this in-between
the sky so blue, the trees still green—”
Thank you so much, Laura!
Linger is the perfect word for the change of seasons. (K)
Thank you very much.
First, “Linger here—wait, hereafter” is just an amazing hook. Second, I love it when someone manages a rhyming quadrille with such solid meter (plus the triple rhyme in the last couplet is perfect)
Thank you so much for your kind words! I really appreciate it.
Merril,
Your writing is so polished I almost missed its subtly increasing intimacy with the reader, brought front and center with the last line. Perfect wintry presentiment.
pax,
dora
Dora–such a lovely thing to write. Thank you so much! 💙
You are most welcome. It was a lovely write.
😀
The cusp of season so beautifully captured and that too in a rhyming quadrille! 💙
Thank you so much! 💙
You are welcome.
Beautiful ❤️
Thank you!
You know, Merril, I was not expecting the word icy! And I love the word russet 💕
-David
Thank you, David. I’m pleased I surprised and delight you.💙
Linger is such a wonderful word, and you linger lovingly in your poem, between laughing gulls and leaves soon to fall. Oh, may that sun linger on….
Thank you, Pam!
Linger was a wonderful word for the prompt.
Beautiful Scenery💓💞💕💯.
Thank you.
I sure lingered on the ending. Love it’s mellow humour!
Thank you, Resa. 😏
This “lingers” with me as fall approaching with its own palette of colors and the smokey air of chimneys being lit. The greens will soon fade and we will once again crave spring and it’s greens.
Thank you!