A Different Fall

Notes on the Indian Autumn

No fiery maples, no cherry trees

fall does not arrive in a burst.

It seeps into the dust, cooling it,

soothing heat-singed brows.

No silver mist on hills

but nights grow ghostlier as fog rolls in,

The breeze acquires a chill,

lashing cheeks with a tongue of mint.

A humid hell evaporates;

the earth sheds its tight, wet clothes.

Its fabric, darkened by rain,

begins to lift and flutter.

No scarlet heaps, nor carpets gold

but the heart’s eager to dip

 into its own stash of colours,

fishing out every imaginable hue.

Saffron and spices sizzle the soul;

flames flare a deeper orange.

A wave of vermillion ushers in

a nightly flurry of weddings.

Ash drifts with smoke through the air;

steam rises from tea stalls,

laced with ginger for passers

sipping camaraderie in chipped cups.

Incense wafts through doorways;

crushed marigolds litter pavements.

Goddess Kali arrives in dazzling red-golds

to vanquish demons and be worshipped

Soon the streets will flicker in neon,

throb and blare with music;

with the surreal chanting of mantras,

the thrum of revelers till late.

The world is a canvas aching to spill.

A quaint, buzzing kaleidoscope;

Not a season of quiet splendour,

Fall is fierce with sudden bliss and hope.

Author's Note

Thank you for reading....

Reviews

[JMichael]

A very visual and descriptive feast, this one. A very different interpretation of the season to what many others experience.

It tells us that Autumn may not really exist in appearance or in a temperate sense in India, but its presence aligns itself with the noise, colours and festivities of the human kind. Rather than being the oft romanticised season of falling leaves and fading colours, the Autumn of India almost passes by unnoticed; it takes the ingenuities of human celebrations to add some colour to that which has quietly seeped away. A very different fall, indeed.

Some excellent description used here, combined with clever use of alliteration, paints us a very unique perspective on the season that many of us have grown to love above all the others.

Well written.

[DIVYA]

Thank you so much JM. A pretty season we don't have here, but October is a refreshing time after the months of rain and I can smell it distinctly. Its the chill, the cheer of festivities that make it so different for us. Very infectious too. Your kind appreciation made this poem worth the scribble.

[Chris Shaw]

You may not have the fall of leaves we experience in autumn and the rich colours, but India has something else. The imagery here is to die for. I always think of fall as the season of decay. There is no decay in this poem. Far from it, everything appears to be coming to life. I felt excitement. Your words have a buzz about them. You paint a very vibrant picture here DIVYA. Just wonderful.

Chris

[DIVYA]

Dear Chris!
So wonderful to see you on this page! This was a poem long in the coming! October is my most loved month. I can smell it when it arrives! We begin feeling a chill and the music begins in the town, the lights go on and there's the all pervading scent of incense overriding the rot. In my younger days, I've actually joined strangers in dancing to the drumbeats on the road during Goddess Kali worship. Nothing to do with religion, everything to do with the sheer jubilation of the festivities.
Thank you so much for a golden review on this labor of love of mine! You're so appreciated ny friend!
❤️💐

[jacob erin-cilberto]

India has a different kind of color in fall...maybe not deep orange maple leaves...but sounds and looks very festive from your exciting imagery in this one.
j.

[DIVYA]

Thank you for the inspiration dear Jacob!

[John the Baptist]

A colorful portrait of the Indian autumn here. It does not come barreling onto the scene, but rather "seeps" in on the shoulders of fog and cooler nights. Slowly, the hot, humid summer gives way. Just as slowly, the brilliant hues of autumn begin to insinuate themselves. The beautiful colors gradually become prominent. The inhabitants join in this exchange of colors and celebrate in the streets. Sounds like a fun time to me.

[DIVYA]

Thank you dear John. Loved your review. Yes, the most exciting month - October - it sets the pace for 3 months of festivities, culminating only in January with the harvest festival. Its colder, livelier and happier unlike the rest of the time when its hot and humid.

[Mysilentembrace]

This may be one of my favorite poems of fall! Im so delighted by the choice of words you chose and the imagery you paint all at the same time. For instance this line - "the earth sheds its tight, wet clothes" creates this feeling of heaviness and paints the picture of wet heavy grounds. I also feel so strongly by your last verse which ends powerfully and fully of emotion and imagery. Wow!

[DIVYA]

Thank you so much for the beautiful review you've given me on this poem. The fall we have here is green and not red-gold. Just after months of rain. I love that everything feels dry, sunny but cooler. Then we have an entire line-up of festivals, back to back and thats really great.
You made my effort truly worth it!

[Mysilentembrace]

I think I would be devastated. I absolutely live and die for the fall. Not having the changing aspens and thunderstorms to light up my day would make me so sad. It is lovely that you have found the enjoyment in things becoming cooler and have festivals to keep that spirit a light!

[Lira Noen]

Excellent✨, it's like seeing and feeling what actually happened, awesome🪴

[DIVYA]

Thank you so much. I appreciate your visit.

[Green]

Reading this was like getting to be there. The flow and word choice really helped set the scene for me. I keep going back to the “Saffron and spices sizzle the soul;” line. Something about it just tickles my brain.

[DIVYA]

Green, thank you so much for reading this long winded poem. I appreciate your kind comments very much. ❤️