THE BEGINNING OF HUSH

nearing the end of Autumn!

The Beginning of Hush

 

Earth brown and empty trees

leaves blown with gusts of mild wind

a portent of winter’s whipping

which stings one’s face like piercing fringes of a spear

 

We swaddle to protect against the elements that strike us

though we savor the purity of the wind shrouding us with power

 

We bask in last few weeks of autumn

as we reflect on its magnificence, its grace, its grandeur

 

We focus on the present

its clarity, its void, its vanity, its simplicity

its nothingness

 

Yet, for strange reasons we do not wish to let it loose

we revel in its diversity, its scents, its solitude

 

Except for occasional caustic winds, we smell the desolation

and luxuriate in its hush

 

Reviews

[Kady R.]

Hiii Betty!!

I knew there was something special about your poetry and now that I learned your a painter I can see the vivid imagery in your poems too. How amazing to have an artistic perspective like that. Anywho. What a wonderful poem about the fall. The wording is so vivid that I can picture what you say. Thanks for sharing Betty

Kady

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear Kady
A beautiful review and thanks for all the accolades!
Warmly, B

[Kady R.]

Anytimeee🤗🤗🤗

[Mauricio Montoya]

Oh Betty this write hits home, I had to back and read it! Yes but fact earth you could mean someone or something but ether or I love your imaginary and how you bring the words together each word comes with flow and always keeps one wondering how's it going to end.
I enjoy your work, Merry Christmas

[Betty Hermelee]

happy Holidays!
A fine review Mauricio
Warmly, B

[Art Sun]

We don't have harsh winters but each thought within your words I have felt at different times, days, years, they may have come at different seasons but I can feel, smell, and hear the hush of those thoughts...

Nice work...

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you so much for a lovely review!
Happy Holidays!
Warmly, B

[Neville]

You can beat an egg and a drum and maybe a carpet/rug .. but you just can't beat a bit o proper poetry .. and this is such a fine example of the latter Betty .. warmly on a cold day & with kindest regards, Neville

[Betty Hermelee]

What lovely thoughtful review my friend
Thank you from my heart
Warmly, B

[Neville]

You are most welcome Betty .. N

[red93]

I love this B, how you conjure the rushing changing Seasons with your well-honed thoughts, and how we all kinda dread but also relish Winter. Exceptional ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Betty Hermelee]

Great review and thank you, much appreciated!
Warmly, B

[Laz K.]

the change of seasons keeps filling the soul with a sense of mystery, the poetry of life.
"We focus on the present
its clarity, its void, its vanity, its simplicity
its nothingness"

these lines bring to mind the wisdom of Buddhist teachings about the emptiness of existence:
"In the beginning, nothing comes, in the middle nothing stays, in the end nothing goes."
Milarepa

[Betty Hermelee]

Very nice review laz, I like the Buddha line; thanks and much appreciated!
Warmly B🌺

[John the Baptist]

Autumn, like all of the other seasons, is a thing that come and goes. Its only possible negative might be that it morphs into winter, which can be less than pleasant. The part about the present is very interesting. If we could focus on it perpetually we would be better off, for the present moment is all we ever will have.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks John for a thoughtful review, as always!!!
Warmly, B

[Coyote Poetry]

Winter is here in Michigan. Snow will be coming. I like the month of October. Halloween for the children. Late November mean. Winter is near. Beautiful use of description dear Betty.
Coyote

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you dear John for an excellent review; it’s freezing here in the Appalachians as well! Take care
Warmly B🍁🌖🌖

[Vol]

Betty!
I've been reading about the troubles scientists have when attempting to find the origins, or substance, or evolutionary process that gave rise to consciousness... Consciousness that always attempts to see between the lines, find meaning in the passage of time... if, indeed, it does pass at all. Dirt and dead leaves are BROWN, and to us, it is a kind of discovery, and is added to our catalog of the stuff outside ourselves that always makes us stop to look and think about. Not like a Tiger, who probably does not know why they are marked with black and orange stripes... no, it's OUR job find the wonder in things, but no one knows why WE can, but the tiger can't. If you've never heard of the Block Universe Theory, it is quite interesting, and hard to dispute, but not a favorite of mine...
"The block universe theory, where time travel is possible but time passing is an illusion."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2018-09-02/block-universe-theory-time-past-present-future-travel/10178386
Vol

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks dear Vol, I will look up this theory, always willing to learn...and thanks too for your review!
Warmly, B

[Vol]

:-) My pleasure....

[Michael Sun Bear]

Good morning, having lots of trouble with this website again. Last night could not post my own poem nor review this. Anyhow, my first read through I thought how prolific you are, two more reads and I think this is lovely writing, and you made me quite nostalgic for our own Seattle autumn now completely gone, loved your stanza beginning with: We bask in the last few weeks…..oh! and you, Kelly and I all seem to share a love of bare tree branches silhouetted against the sky. Great photo.

[Betty Hermelee]

What a lovely review Michael , so meaningful and insightful… Hapoy Thanksgiving!
Warmly
read moreWhat a lovely review Michael , so meaningful and insightful… Hapoy Thanksgiving!
Warmly
B