Saturday, September 20, 2008

EQUINOX


As still as glass
the first cold of autumn forms.
Then moves, unconcerned as a spirit,
rising up the hollows like smoke
from a chimney rock of long ago.
The smell of it is of all things
natural and radiant, expected.
Its taste is of apples and pumpkins,
and secret honey found caught
in the elbows of ancient trees.
Soft, I catch the essence against
my breast and imagine that I am
allowed to disturb the air with my
breathing. I float, an apparition,
above the dark beaver pond,
where submerged in mire, the silver
scales of fish fall silent and soft
as tongues of prayer.
Nothing rests under the gold gleam
of the Harvest moon.
Nothing sleeps – except for all of us
who linger in the cold mist of autumn.
We sleep so that, narcissistic and exposed,
we can dream about ourselves.

16 comments:

Winter Storm said...

What a beautiful soul you are - thank you for sharing your talent with us. I look forward to visiting often! Colleen

K.Lawson Gilbert said...

Winter Storm, thank you for your kind words and for stopping by. Please do visit often. It is nice to see you here.

goodguyswearblack said...

The fall is my favorite time of the year and this poem was a great way to bring it in.

K.Lawson Gilbert said...

goodguyswearblack, fall is my favorite time of year, too. It fills every sense so completely... sight, sound, taste, smell - the air is so sweet, you can almost taste it. Glad the poem issued in your favorite season.

trooping with crows said...

This poem invokes all the senses, as well as the feeling you have when this time of year arrives. Everything is dark and decaying, yet it's beautiful and magical and the woods are alive...a truly excellent poem.

blue possum said...

Beautiful poem, K! I can almost smell a cool fall day. I can't wait to hear more!

K.Lawson Gilbert said...

trooping with crows,
your comment was gracefully expressed and poetical itself. I appreciate your comments so much. Visit often.

blue possum, glad you enjoyed the poem - thanks. I'll be posting another one very soon. ;)

lilu said...

What a beautiful painting of words and emotion...i can smell the change in the air...i can see my breath as i stand and look around at the amazing world....BRAVO!!!!

Unknown said...

I love it! A great poem by my favorite poet!

K.Lawson Gilbert said...

Lilu - I am glad that the poem was able to transport you in such a way. Aren't words powerful. Your comments are beautiful & so appreciated!

Lolanda - Awww, shucks! Thanks! Well, you have been listening to or reading my poems for a long time. Visit often.

Unknown said...

Love your site so much, very warm and inviting! Your trip sounded like so much fun - the line I liked best: It was so much fun and so cathartic I wanted to keep howling for hours....in my mind, I did.
I "reckon" those wolves know how to relax!

K.Lawson Gilbert said...

Lolanda...glad it feels warm and inviting. Hope it still feels that way when I put some darker poems on. ;P

But, yeah...it was just a great moment, as moments go - the howling. I felt one with, not only the wolves, but with all creatures. And you are right...those wolves know how to live with passion!

Writing on Board said...

I have read you, from first to last. I have fallen. Your poems are impossible. As imposiible as your art. Impossible that they exist only on this blog. Who are you K. Lawson Gilbert? Confess.

K.Lawson Gilbert said...

LOL! Hello, Writer on Board, and welcome to Old Mossy Moon. Wow...you read my whole blog from end to beginning??? Thank you so very much for the wonderful compliment and high praise. You know how to make a poet feel like a million bucks...forgive the trite expression! I do hope you will visit me again, soon. I will try and stop by your place soon. My next few days are going to be busy...but, I will get over to you on the weekend, hopefully. Thanks, again. You are so sweet. ;D

Writing on Board said...

My place is small. It never goes beyond one page. I erase as I go, like a snail that leaves no trail behind. My comments are closed, not because I'm unfriedly, but because I need time to find and read treasures like this. I'm a reader. But my email is always open.

K.Lawson Gilbert said...

WOB - It does take so much time to travel around to all the blogs one tries to support. I think I am seriously going to cut back on some of the traveling I do. Thanks for stopping by again. Hope to see you on one of my new posts soon. ;D