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.

[ShadesofV]

Google the Solar Flare November 2025
For some, solar storms can contribute to a feeling of unexplainable tension or stress.

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

Those bitter winds seem to be making their rounds again... I wish egos didn't kick up so much dust. Courageous write.

[RomaJ]

Yes, have you googled the Solar Flare? Ookpik mentioned it, that there was a solar flare event around Nov, 11. And as I researched it, it says, the flares have an affect on human moods, giving people an unsettling feeling. I think it will pass. Thank you Travis

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

I wish I could blame the solar flare agong with you, at least, that would give a better excuse. Unfortunately, WC has seen it's share of drama amongst writers. Thankfully it usually passes me by, but watching others deal with nonsense is a bit disheartening.

[RomaJ]

Travis. You are right. I thought it was just the November Winds or the solar flare
but I log in to this site and I am just getting so many unkind private messages. And only one, that actually made my day feel brighter. But all those unkind messages make me want to close my account because I'm just too old for drama and gossiping. Sigh. Some people have way too much on their hands.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

That they do, and it's tragic to know that the disrespect still lingers here. I wish you well with it all. This site has lost great writers before... hopefully, they don't force you to become another one.

[Arundass TP]

It's cool weather here too. Really I love winter. Great poem

[RomaJ]

Thank you and I appreciate your thoughts. I have a sister in Vermont and she tells me, there was a cold front, and she woke up to tons of snow that she had to shovel by herself all morning. Snow sounds nice but also, alot of work

[ShadesofV]

November winds have definitely felt colder and bitter than normal or maybe, being bitter is just their "normal" maybe November is just lonely, or a fool. November is just trying to break the spirit of the young before they have a chance to bloom. November winds being judge, jury and executioner is bleak. but just let it pass, it's time will not be long. And new winds will blow through, hopefully and with God's devine intervention, He will silence the storms and the bitter, old winds. Karma and time itself has a way of silencing old fools, as they won't have much time on earth.

Bullying and spreading rumors should not be tolerated in schools or in a writing site. Older writers should know better than to use their words to hurt the young. People are just writing for attention now. , instead of attempting to have a conversation, and to ask directly and privately and to come to some kind of mutual understanding or disagreeing to disagree. They just publish for content, for the drama and the reviews. To spread rumors and gossip , as old folks do. That's why I don't add friends here. I just like reading on this site. But not when the words are used to hurt young writers. Spread kindness is a good will and thought
V