A November Morning
The sky is first lemon, then orange,
the air whispers with dry citrus humor
as we crunch through the russet leaves
of last year’s promise,
heels shuffle-tapping on cobblestones
that cover the detritus of centuries.
A single leaf falls, silently like the “e”
on hope. Or love. The sunrise is a question
echoed by birds in short chirps and longer trills.
You take my hand. I let you. We walk on.
A poem for my ekphrastic prompt on dVerse today. This painting makes me think of paths in Old City Philadelphia.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Atmospheric! I’ll share this on Facebook.
Thank you so much, Marian! 😊
😀
Snap! We chose the same picture and I love where it took you, Merril, especially the use of colour and sound.
Thank you very much, Kim! 😊
So good! I particularly love the lines: “A single leaf falls, silently like the “e” on hope. Or love. The sunrise is a question”
Thank you so much, Kim! 😊
I LOVE that last line! For me, it makes the poem, which I interpret to be about acceptance, love, and perseverance.
Thank you very much, Liz!
The first lines were lines I thought of before going to bed one night, and the final sentence just came to me as I was writing. 😊
You’re welcome, Merril! I love it when that happens.
I do, too! 😊
this really pulled me in, love all the details, especially that leaf falling as a silent “e” 💝
Thank you very much, Tricia. I’m so pleased I pulled you in! 💙
💗💮🌺💮💗
❤️
Just lovely! The photo really resonates with the poem…questions and answers, so much to think about. 🙂
Thank you so much, Linda! 😊
A wonderful poem, Merril. I love your images of personification.
…the air whispers with dry citrus humor
… The sunrise is a question
echoed by birds in short chirps and longer trills.
Thank you so much, Dwight. I’m pleased you enjoyed my poem! 💙
You ae welcome! I really did.
😊
“A single leaf falls, silently like the “e”
on hope. Or love. ”
Gorgeous!!!
Much💜love
Thank you very much, Gillena! 💙
You take my hand.
I let you. We walk on
A morning full of promise for a loving couple out for that healthy
morning walk. How nice Merril wonderful wordcraft!
Hank
Thank you very much, Hank! I’m pleased you think so.
What perfection that second stanza is. (K)
Thank you so much, Kerfe! 💙
Wonderful poem Merril! Especially loved this line my friend! “A single leaf falls, silently like the “e”on hope. Or love.”👍🏼 I chose the same image, its bleakness impossible to resist.🙂✌🏼🕊❤️
Thank you so much for your kind words, Rob! I’m pleased you liked the poem, and thank you for letting me know which line stood out for you. 💙
These are some lovely lines. Those paths sound magical.
Thank you, Tanmay.
I don’t know about magical, but here in the US, 18th century is old, and I do like seeing the brick and cobblestones there.
I love your ghostly self-inclusion in the scene (that’s how I read it anyway), so full of melancholy.
Thank you! “Ghostly self-inclusion” works, though I hadn’t quite thought of it that way–only that I was walking along there, too (because you know pictures in my head . . .) 🙂. And yes, melancholy, like November.
I liked the idea of you taking the girl’s hand and helping her on her way. It’s such a sad-looking painting.
I hadn’t thought of it in quite that way, but maybe . . .🙂
It’s that last line. I imagine you stepping into the painting and walking with the girl.
Oh! I see. I like that. 🙂
🙂
This poem felt serene, I have read through the comments and I am jumping on the wagon “A single leaf falls, silently like the “e”
on hope.” Every now and again we create words that make you ponder on. You have done that here. Great piece you have here ❤
Thank you so much for your very kind comment! 😊
Each of your poems make me gasp with pleasure, but this one – double gasp. Just truly beautiful. “dry citrus humor” – oh my lord, yes! And the single leaf falling like the “e” from hope and love. Just brilliant. Thank you!!
Oh my! Thank you so much for your comment, Pam! I’m so thrilled my words have produced such a response. 💙💙
Truly, your poems are magic. xo
❤️❤️
very atmospheric and a perfect November morning ❤
Thank you very much! 💙
falls like that silent e– how I love it. And just like the grammar rule of the silent e, which magically turns the first vowel long, we exhale long at the sight of the ground carpeted in color. Love it. So beautiful, Merril– ahhhh! Great poem.
Thank you so much for your very kind words, Selma! I’m so pleased you thought so much of my poem. 😊
I always do. Thanks for sharing. Xoxo
🥰
What a gorgeous autumn poem, Merril. The imagery took me right there to that leafy walk. Loved it.
Thank you very much, Diana! I’m so pleased you stopped by to read and comment. 😊
My pleasure. 😀
A poem of expansive possibility: deftly done, Merril!
Thank you so much, Ingrid!
I love citrus fruits and smells, so your first line just drew me in, Merril. 😊 Beautifully atmospheric, full of lovely lines…I love it, Merril! 💙
Thank you for your very kind words, Punam! 💙
My pleasure. 😊
Your words capture the atmosphere of the painting. Well done.
Thank you very much, Ken. 🙂