November Winds

I don't know what it is about November.
A spell of bitter winds blows through,
its chill everywhere,
carrying voices in the words like dry leaves
that scrape the bare branches
of those who listen too closely.

Rumor seeps through the cracks,
turning the warmth of quiet truths,
of genuine words,
into frostbite.

Insidious.
slow enough to feel,
fast enough to shatter.

Words tumble like brittle snow,
each one a shard of glass
cutting at the quiet places
we thought were safe.

Now even Writerscafe
doesn't feel safe.

The spirit stirs, restless,
haunted by what is not,
by what someone said,
by what everyone believes.

November’s bitter winds
seem to be judge, jury, executioner,
its lies carried away
on its own currents.

I am old enough not to let them touch me.
I am a writer; I can wield words
as well as I can write them.

But I worry for the young,
for those without years,
without layers of skin thick enough
to withstand the cold, biting words
of November’s untruths.

I worry they might succumb
to hurt,
to the bitterness
that blows like a storm
through every fragile soul.

Let November's winds
not be bitter, but kind.
So kindness can spread.
And maybe, it might
save a life.

Author's Note

This poem is inspired by Red93. Red's poem is a senryu. I wrote a comment on it about November winds, so it inspired this poem

Reviews

[---]

There was a solar-flare, Roma, on Nov 11 that broke records for its scale.

I'm no expert, but apparently the geo-magnetic storm it caused can have a significant impact on mood. I lost quite a bit of sleep, as did colleagues and friends.

Sometimes the explanation is right under your nose. Albeit, we have to relinquish the idea that we know better in order to see it.

Nice poem.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2025/11/12/earth-has-sudden-ground-level-event---heres-what-that-means/

[RomaJ]

Oh my gosh. I really didn't know about the solar flare. That is interesting. Thank you for sharing that with me. I have been feeling so off, and I felt this whole month has so much negative energy. I've resorted to burning sage , trying to ward away the bad juju. I know it's not just me, feeling the bitter in November winds, because even my sisters would call me and they feel the same way. I will tell them about that solar flare on November 11, but first I
need to Google. Thank you so much for that information. I really appreciate it because I've been trying to make sense of the weird energy of this month.

[---]

Again, I'm no expert - but to compound the issue, there's also S.A.D, and having to a tolerate a geopolitical and socio economic climate that feels as though it's 5 seconds away from setting itself on fire.

My only advice is to be patient, and cautious, as to what you do or do not attribute as to why things happen as they do.

First judgements often retire to a second.

[RomaJ]

Thank you so much. I will share this with my sisters. Alot of what you wrote gives me a sense clarity and is really helpful. I feel it makes sense to what I and my sisters were feeling about this month of November. I really appreciate you sharing this with me. Just wanted you to know, three women will be soon talking about everything you've mentioned over wine and contemplating it.

[andrew mitchell]

Exceptional writing Roma. In a world of political correctness where freedom of speech is controlled somewhat,we are still more divided than ever is where you took me on reflecting.

[RomaJ]

Andrew. Thank you, my friend. Your thoughts is very much appreciated

[Yasmin]

Some people just have too much time on their handle. Idle hands is the devil. With nothing more to do, they just gossip.

[RomaJ]

Indeed. Too much time on their hands. I agree
Thank you for your thoughts. It's much appreciated

[Thomas W Case]

Brilliant imagery. Your use of the senses in this poem brings it to vivid life.

[RomaJ]

Thank you Thomas. I appreciate you

[Desert Knave]

I thin that for every one of the young discouraged by the winds another two are only challenged to write more. Anyhow, this is an interesting stream of thought and I enjoyed it. ~Jim

[RomaJ]

I'm not young and don't get discouraged easily, but all the negative energy that's been going through my inbox makes me ...I wouldn't say "discouraged" but maybe, I need to take a break and close my account. . It's enough with all the things, I have to deal with in real life, for myself, my family and friends and then, logging into site. Instead, reading poetry. I'm somehow, having to deal with drama frok online strangers sigh. I feel I am too old for online drama. And I'm tired

[Joss Jeffrey]

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[Soren]

Roma I am on several sites some seem juvenile, others non caring, some over controlling and others overly sensitive. Here I have found a more mature crowd (with an exception or two). I have always wished to promote poetry not discourage it and find that a kind word goes a long way when speaking of someone's creation so that a new parent does not throw the baby out with the bath. A wonderful write

[RomaJ]

I feel the same, Soren. I've been on three poetry site. I prefer this one because it just feels more diverse and mature. I've been on this site for over 10 years now , but recently I've been getting so much negative energy in my inbox, I feel too old having to deal with online drama or gossip among strangers. If only, I could just turn it off

[Soren]

I take it this way Roma the more severe the criticism the more that I know that a strong emotional message got through. It is those poems that get bland responses that I worry about, they struck no nerves and no one heard them. If everyone loves them I worry too that maybe the message was already too commonly held and didn't need to be said.

[Art Sun]

November...it feels you like the wind when it touches your face, cold, harsh, and yet truthful is it not, we express truth when we feel the coldness of Everything around us.

I could go on and on, but you have already taken care of that for us all.

[RomaJ]

Those cold winds can be brutal. And when it touches skin, it almost feels like it burns, like fire.

[Vol]

Roma,
I must be out of the loop. Yours and one other post today, both seem to be referencing some event I missed. I want no details, if there is anger and strife, I'd like to be warned how to avoid it.
BUT... I've had mixed feelings about both November and February. They seem to exist in some sort of "in-between." I'm not sure where you live has the same seasonal changes as in Dixie, But November can be a time for blizzards or warm enough for pic-nics. By now the leaves are gone from the frees whose bare, skeletal fingers and gray bark are just parked across the landscape and do nothing to lighten anyone's mood.
Most of the time. I remember "sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof," or the good, depends on what we make them. I'm a Believer, so am entirely optimistic, no matter what the rest of the world is doing, my happiness depends on what I decide.
Vol

[RomaJ]

I wrote November Winds because I've been feeling like this whole month has been off- like everything, just feels off- so I've been feeling this kind of way, since the beginning of the month.. and then my sisters calling, about feeling the same way and I tell them, it must be November. Also, Ookpic mentioned something about a "Solar Flare" event that happened around Nov 11, so that was a topic of discussion with me and my sisters.

Also, while I reading and reviewing poetry here. I stumbled upon Red93's poem, a senryu, and those thoughts of November’s Winds was still swirling in my mind and I wrote it as a comment on his poem.
So, this poem was inspired also by my review of Red93's senryu.

As for what is happening in the writerscafe. I don't know.. I was offline for days also. After I wrote, my poem, Come back to bed, I was actually enjoying my husband and I, much needed vacation. when I logged in- I had so many private messages and some were deeply concerning, young writers talking about suicide. I don't know if the topics are even related.

All I know is, I am a married woman, mother of three and I am also a Teacher. I don’t really like to post too much personal details about my life on this public site. But all my writings are my own personal thoughts, opinions and lived experiences. November Winds is something I have been feeling about and is something I have talked about with my sisters. I feel like there is something in the winds, that is making people feel unsettled in their spirits.

If anyone relates to November Winds, it's probably because of the solar flare , that Ookpic mentioned, and something must have happened to him, because it seems, he closed his account to.. and I was just enjoying reading his some of his stories
So I really don't know what is happening in the cafe, or with individual writers, or there individual lives. It could the solar flares being carried in the winds and it's affects on peoples moods. So maybe people, writers are being affected by this flare, that is being carried by the winds.

I think we all have to remember why we joined this site, in the first place... for me it was just to read poetry, connect with other writers and share my own.

I mentioned snow because my sisters lived in Pennsylvania and Vermont and would complain alot about the snow, and having to shovel it haha

Vol, I really don't know what is happening or if it's just the affects of November’s Winds. I think we all should just let it pass, because as the saying goes, "this too shall pass"

Roma

[Vol]

Well, Roma, let me just say that in the darkness of it all, you carry a lovely light... and it is quite obvious we connect as poets... It's quite nice, too.
Vol

[RomaJ]

Thank you, you are a lovely light yourself. And I truly appreciate the light that you bring to me

[Vol]

Oh... thank you!!! What a nice thing to say...

[red93]

Well I am honoured indeed by this acknowledgement Roma.

I too always feel much safer when we reach Advent and the Return of the Light. But I can't diss November entirely, because I have had financial windfalls in November in the Past.

Keep it up - you are writing at a very high level IMO atm ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[RomaJ]

Oh Red, you're such a joy and an inspiration. I'm delighted to hear that November has been good to you, my friend. Overall, I feel the month has been good, I just noticed the shift in the winds because so many of my friends and family call me to talk about their problems or issues they are having and asking my advice on how to help them navigate it. I do my best and just try to lean on my faith for strength and pray for all those who are struggling through life's bitter winds. Thank you, my friend. Your thoughts are a light and is much appreciated.

[red93]

Flattered and honoured Roma - many thanks 😁✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️