than the first bite of an apple.
It should carry the musk
hidden in the heart of leaf piles.
It should whip past you
with the snap of a newly bared branch.
But when it is smothered too long
in a zombie summer’s dregs,
even the animals’ whispers will carry
across the sullen air.
This poem was created for Imaginary Gardens with Real Toads' Art Flash prompt. It is also linked to Poets United's Pantry of Poetry and Prose.
Liner Notes for This Groove: I can remember being disappointed by freezing Halloweens in my youth - ones so cold that you had to wear a big jacket and no one could tell what you were dressed as. As much of a bummer as those were, I have to say that this recent one's unseasonable warmth bothered me more. I was able to run around in a short sleeve dress without needing a light sweater. I did however have a cup of tea with me as I was giving out the candy. As Thea Devine wrote, "Tea was the great leveler. It brought calm, quiet, contentment, warmth. And it was something to do." At least I could depend on my evening cuppa to be exactly what I expected.
This is beautifully done, Rommy. Each line carries a power word to link the reading to the image. Spectacular.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kerry!
DeleteReally awesome!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you enjoyed it :)
Delete"zombie summer's dregs" -- love it!
ReplyDeleteLOL, that's what it feels like
DeleteI agree. Halloween should not be 80 degrees as it was here last night even after dark. Those childhood heavy coats didnt really matter because once we were "free" to run in and out of driveways and ring unknown doorbells to receive that usually "portioned" amount of sugar, coats didnt matter. WE knew who we were and assumed without thinking that all those answering doors knew too. But the thought was....what kind of candy will we get here? Perfect poem.
ReplyDeleteOh absolutely. I might have been sad about my outfit getting covered up for half a second before my mind jumped to which place gave out the best candy. :)
DeleteThis is pure awesomeness.
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen
DeleteI love the entire poem, but 'zombie summer's dregs'- wow. Amazing Rommy.
ReplyDeleteSo happy you enjoyed it
DeleteYes, this is exactly how autumn should be. I felt I could take a bite of the air this morning.
ReplyDeleteAfter that nasty storm moved through, we're finally getting the brisk weather I expected. Bring on the sweaters and thick socks!
DeleteLovely.
ReplyDeleteThanks R
DeleteLovely visuals :) Hope you had a fun Halloween !
ReplyDeleteI always love seeing what the kids do with their costumes. Some of them are so creative!
DeleteHow beautifully this reads Rommy, mind you living in Australia we are now in Spring so we have nature's awakening to cope with and the Sun's relentless glare.
ReplyDeleteI heard your summers can be fairly intense!
DeleteI love all the things that autumn should be in your poem, Rommy, and the thought of summer as a zombie, hanging around long after it’s died. Over here it’s crisp and the trees are doing their striptease very slowly.
ReplyDeleteOh that sounds lovely! We finally are experiencing some real fall weather, but a nasty storm took down a bunch of leaves before we had a chance to appreciate them.
DeleteI love the atmosphere you have created in this poem
ReplyDeleteThanks Jae
DeleteI enjoyed this, especially the first stanza.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it
DeleteI really enjoyed this! Each stanza can stand alone and it’s on the right-reverberating power.👍🏽
ReplyDeleteWoot! Thanks :)
DeleteI have not seen to much short sleeves here... this Autumn has already brought both frost and persistent summer... zombie summer sounds eerie
ReplyDeleteIt is eerie and a little disquieting. I always feel out of sorts when the weather feels wildly off for its season.
DeleteYour Autumn's Breath is delicious in both words and artwork. You are lucky to still have a warm weather. This side we are officially on Fall/Winter season with snow already in the northern part of the country. So, do enjoy your autumn days!
ReplyDeleteWe finally are feeling the chill, and my pupper is especially delighted. We've been taking him on decent sized walks once the rain stopped.
DeleteThose first four lines are especially captivating. I could almost hear the crunch.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that I'm finally able to hear the actual crunch of leaves now. :)
DeleteI was talking to a friend, who moved from the US to Australia not that long ago, and she was telling me how weird it was to be so hot in October (in the 90s, she said). I completely understand her feelings. Autumn looks more like itself when it chills a bit.
ReplyDeleteBut October is not Autumn in Australia.
DeleteAutumn (and Spring too) should leave the intensity to its siblings, Winter and Summer.
DeleteBeautiful! Nigh on perfect.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rosemary
DeleteSo delightfully penned - I sunk into those first two stanzas and enjoyed the whole poem!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed it
DeleteLovely and thematic with its whole image painted...
ReplyDeleteI did have a beautiful image to draw from
DeleteOh, I love this. It is perfect for the image. Each line holds its own power as they build into one piece.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susie. I'm pretty pleased with how nicely that worked too.
DeleteI am swooning over your opening lines, Rommy!! Woww!!❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteThanks Sanaa
Delete