November's Signature

Yesterday we were treated to what I call November's signature prints...

Two contrasting ribbons melded, of gray and gold.

I was concerned when the snow came early and stayed,

that we might miss this bit of brooding beauty!

(yesterday's temps at last were mild enough to make melodious melting-snow music!)
"What's that sound? " asked little girl yesterday as we played outside.
"That, my dear, is the best sound in the world!" I replied
as I showed her where the water was running from the down-spout.
"That is the sound of melting snow!"

The sharp contrasts of bronze and brooding blue

Are signature prints of November’s art

Spellbound am I by earth and heaven’s hue

As landscapes, leaf-bereft still thrill the heart

Precious intermission, as rain and snow

Duel in unrelenting tug-of-cloud

Before autumn surrenders and lets go

And Old Man Winter gloats, star-stoked and proud

But now let November bid us farewell

In panoramas steeped in rum-hued sweeps

Let us first feel, like a slow-pealing bell

Wild longing in the wind that moans and weeps

…and let us stand stock still, drawn by an ache

Akin to motherhood as child is weaned

And starts to stretch the ties that cannot break

While what must be keeps soulful senses keened

November is like autumn-song’s postlude

A sax solo played by the barren tree

Or penetrating hymn of gratitude

That wafts across the field and out to sea

© Janet Martin