Auguries of True Autumn
If you listen
from beneath deep-night’s blanket of darkest blue
you’ll hear the moon croon,
the tenderest of lullabies
for the lonely awake in quiet rooms
where she can silver-slide
through window cracks, and guide with wider-glow
the owls and foxes, and the bats–
though soon they’ll go.
If you listen,
you will hear the tree roots slow their growing
as they drop rubies from their crowns,
and bury seeds to sleep till spring, these sounds
just barely perceptible, perhaps sensed in dream-showings
like scenes from a book you’re not sure you’ve read,
but somehow find yourself knowing, this thread
of what will be—you’ll see
in the morning’s leafy rustle
and the geese’ fast honking bustle,
you’ll recognize your dream vision,
whether wanted or unbidden,
that now the leaves are turning scarlet and gold
competing with the dawn,
more than augury, no longer foretold–
autumn is here, summer has gone.
This poem is a collaboration between the Oracle, Derrick Knight, and me. I took the title, minus an article, from one of Derrick’s blog posts.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
This is breathtaking… thank you Merril and Derrick.
Thank you so much, Rene! 💙
This is a stunningly beautiful poem. You two are awesome!💙
😘
Caught 👐!
Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
Thank you very much!
What a lovely image of autumn, you have created here, Merril! I really love it, as autumn is not really my time of year. 😉 Enjoy a beautiful weekend! xx Michael
Thank you so much, Michael. I really like early autumn. It’s so beautiful now, and it’s warm during the day. I’m not a fan of late autumn when it’s dark, dreary, and cold. 🙂 I hope you have a beautiful weekend, too!
These lines went straight into my Favorite Metaphors/Similes folder: “like scenes from a book you’re not sure you’ve read, /
but somehow find yourself knowing.”
I love the painting you chose. I live within a couple hours’ drive of Saco, which looks nothing like it did in 1858. It’s a former mill town now and pretty grim.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Liz! I’m thrilled you liked those line, and the painting. 💙
I don’t know the river or town, but it’s sad that it’s so grim now.
You’re welcome, Merril.
Merril… this is beyond…
Thank you so much, David! 💙
The seeds the Oracle planted with me have grown into a luminous landscape with your words. wonderful! (K)
Thank you so much, Kerfe.
We all wrote of autumn today!
It’s in the air, literally.
True!
Oh, so very beautiful!!! 🙂
Thank you so much, Linda!😊
Incandescent verse, Merril! Your words make autumn prettier than it is. 💙
Aww–thank you so much, Punam!
You are so welcome.
Reblogged this on NANMYKEL.COM and commented:
Show-stopping!
So beautiful .💕
Thank you very much! 💙
You slide us into autumn so gently with this poem. Yes, we both listened and we both had lots of leaves. I love the opening stanza, but the ending catches in the throat.
So lovely, and I so miss the fall in the northeast. Sigh.
Thank you!
It’s just starting to change a little bit here, but it got much cooler!
I love the light and colours in the painting: they remind me of the Lake District. And you paint the beginning of autumn so beautifully in words!
Thank you so much, Ingrid.
I’m pleased you think so. 💙
You honour me with the collaboration note, Merril. This is a beautiful poem with if bonuses
Thank you and you’re welcome, Derrick! 😊
Wow, what a fabulous collaboration! Very special.
Thank you so much, Luanne.
I loved that phrase in Derrick’s post. 😊
Isn’t it fascinating how certain phrases, words, and images act as muses?
It is–but they have to hit at the right time, I suppose.
Ah good point!
Oh yes, Autumn is here… and should anyone not know what to expect, I shall send them here to read this beautiful piece which brings it to life.
Oh, that is so kind! Thank you very much, Dale! 💙🍁🍂
Absolutely!! 🍂🍁
😊