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Poetry Friday: What September Knows

My recent poem "What the Marmot Knows" was still rolling around in my head a couple of weeks ago when we were out on a Sunday afternoon bike ride. As I watched one yellow leaf drift slowly along the river, a sure sign that fall is coming, I started thinking about "What September Knows."

Yesterday on our lunchtime walk, the squirrels were very busy, shaking hazelnuts down from the tree and running to hide them. And today, the path was dotted with crimson leaves. So I decided to finish off the poem that I started on that Sunday afternoon. 

An apple tree in an orchard with ripe red apples, blue sky. A Poem: What September Knows How to paint with sun and shadows on a Sunday woodland path. The thud of ripened apples upon the orchard grass The busyness of squirrels with hazelnuts to hide. Crimson leaves upon the footpath that autumn’s nascency betide. © 2021, Elisabeth Norton, all rights reserved


Our wonderful host for Poetry Friday today is Denise Krebs over at Dare to Care.  Inspired by another Poetry Friday poet, she wrote an "In A Word" poem. You can discover who inspired her, which creature she wrote about, and all the other poetry goodness awaiting you here.

And Poetry Friday's own Laura Purdie Salas will be presenting a webinar next week (Wednesday, 22nd September) on the topic of Work For Hire: What is it and how can I get started?. The webinar will be recorded and available for viewing for two weeks. You can get more details and register here.

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Comments

  1. Denise KrebsSeptember 17, 2021 at 6:07 PM

    Yes, September knows "how to paint with sun and shadows" That is such a great image. That apple tree is the best, thudding on orchard carpet. You have given four sweet images, so clearly described that I can see them in my mind's eye (even without the photo of the apple tree). Beautiful job, Elisabeth, extending your use of the What___Knows form.

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    1. ElisabethSeptember 23, 2021 at 2:37 PM

      Thanks for your comments Denise! I find my brain is really loving that format. I may have oodles of poems in that form before it's done ...

      Delete
  2. Linda MitchellSeptember 18, 2021 at 12:55 AM

    oooooh! I love the whole idea of this poem. September is a definite change and it does feel like it "knows" something. The photo of those ripe apples is beautiful. And, I think you could work this into some beautiful illustrated pages!

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    1. ElisabethSeptember 23, 2021 at 2:37 PM

      Thank you, Linda! Fall is one of my favorite seasons so it was fun to explore it using this poetic form.

      Delete
  3. KatApel - katswhiskers.wordpress.comSeptember 18, 2021 at 7:41 AM

    I am so intrigued (and delighted) by the thought of those squirrels shaking hazelnuts from the trees. The first line of your poem sets it up so beautifully. Lovely moments caught.

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    1. ElisabethSeptember 23, 2021 at 2:39 PM

      Thanks Kat! It was so delightful to watch them - at one point there were three of them scampering around us.

      Delete
  4. Michelle KoganSeptember 19, 2021 at 7:31 AM

    Beautiful poem of September's fullness and what she offers us Elisabeth–especially like the movement through light, apples, and critters, thanks!

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  5. Susan T.September 19, 2021 at 5:14 PM

    I was just thinking this morning that September is underrated, and come home to your poem! Love it, Elisabeth.

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  6. RuthSeptember 20, 2021 at 10:30 PM

    September knows so much! What a wonderful poem!

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  7. Carol VarsalonaSeptember 21, 2021 at 1:44 PM

    Elizabeth, your poem rings of all the beauty of September before fall finally appears. May I add this image poem to my Nurturing Our Summer Souls Gallery because you gave me one last look at summer?

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    1. ElisabethSeptember 23, 2021 at 2:41 PM

      Hi Carol - I'm glad you enjoyed the poem. I'm honored that you would want to include it in your gallery. It woudl be great if you could link back to from the poem on your site to my blog's main page.

      Delete
  8. Mary LeeSeptember 23, 2021 at 9:45 PM

    Fabulous!

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