Slip

It is early to be thinking
about autumn, I know,
but I just can’t help myself

when the wind speaks
so low from its heights
like it’s calling me calling me

to another land. Where
the trees look forward
to an endless leaning, bowing

towards dampening earth. A shift
from summer: I was born
there, but who says that measure

has any meaning at all.
If the soul has a home,
I imagine I will find mine

pendulous, ruby-tinged,
drifting leaf-like on
the ruffled back of that

first October wind.

Author's Note

2019

Reviews

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Wow. Trying to get a 'handle' on this one. I try as hard as I can to stave off winter so wear 't' shirts all year, so to contemplate it as a welcome season is an anathema to moi. It does feel a little as if the protagonist prefers to be away, hidden from sight and winter provides them with that sanctuary. In anycase lovely freeverse that is food for thought.

[Eilis]

Hi, John. I think a lot of people feel like you do about the colder times of year. Where I live it's hot most of the time, so I look forward to the reprieve.

And your insightful comments certainly carry some truth. Thanks for reading and sharing!

[barleygirl]

I love this poem. Usually we have blast-furnace summers here, so I'm ready for autumn before it gets here. But this year, we're lucky, autumn is here early, so mild lately. One thing I noticed about your poem -- you start out with more cerebral observations (internal) about the anticipation of a thing, but slowly your focus moves outward to expressing lyrical observations that signify autumn for many, but still stated in fresh unexpected ways (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Eilis]

Thanks for your insightful reading, Margie. I like when people tell me things they notice about my poems because sometimes I haven’t noticed them myself.

We’ve had an awful summer here, but the humidity has lifted a little so at least we can breathe outdoors now. Still looking forward to the shift.

Thanks for stopping by!

[CD Campbell]

I'm a lineman, so I work through the elements all year long. I pine for the next season as if I'm constantly switching religious denominations. I want you to know that I happened to see on the news that they have released a pumpkin spice spam. So your autumn dreams have come true. Just dont attach your soul to it.

[Eilis]

Yeah, don’t think there’s any chance of that! That sounds pretty disgusting actually. Pumpkin spice does not cover all sins.

I imagine with a job like yours the seasons do have heavy bearing.

Thanks for the read, CD.

[Einstein Noodle]

i love this .. very emotive ... universally relatable says i ... its August and heat index the last couple weeks has pretty much been 100+ .. but i too have that slight turning of thoughts to Fall .. and then Winter .. we have a certain tree whose leaves are now turning red ... i don't know what kind they are but they don't grow anywhere near the heights of the oaks and pines ..but one can't help but notice .. V2 ..brilliant .. the low call of the wind from the heights .. wow! and V3 L2 hints so uniquely at the endless leaning, bowing ..i live in the Ozark Mountains and you absolutely nail the sensations given when the wind blows through our forest trees ... i could go on more but ..let me just say well done ..a keeper of a poem in my books! thanks for sharing it
E.

[Eilis]

Thanks so much, E. I’m glad you could appreciate this one. I imagine the shifting seasons where you are must be brilliant. Where I am people take a day trip to the mountains just to gaze at the leaves.

We’ve also had those miserable temperatures here. So looking forward to them losing hold.

Thanks so much for this glowing review. Much appreciated.

[Einstein Noodle]

its a fine poem! :) colors can be impressive but nothing like the NE states .. i grew up in upstate NY and the countryside and Adirondacks have a lot of Maple trees .. here it is mostly white and red oak and various evergreens .. but ... breathtaking in their own right ;)

[Eilis]

I imagine it is :), thanks again, E

[PaintedBirdy]

whoa. i read this quite religiously actually. i give you permission to crucify me if you don't like my interpretation:

if you think about autumn, you're thinking about the next season, which is the next phase in your life.
the wind that speaks is the holy spirit. it feels low because it's just beginning, and it's from heights because it is from god.
calling you to another land is like calling you to another season: a new place in your life.
trees looking forward to an endless leaning! that's faith.
bowing towards the dampening earth. i think this implies the summer was fruitless and that means this current period in your life didn't produce what you hoped for. but you keep praying for reaping what you sow...which is in the next season!
god says measure has meaning. there's many scriptures about it.

the imagery after this all reminds me of being swung in the arms of a parent joyfully. sounds like heaven.

thanks for sharing this. it was heartwarming.

[Eilis]

I love that interpretation, actually. Those weren’t conscious ideas on my part, but certainly somewhere in my mind all that stuff is housed.

Thanks for such a deep reading and thoughtful comment, T. Much appreciated by me.

[TheJordBaker]

I love this piece, Autumn is a poetic season and I love how you convey this in your imagery and find yourself there.
I'm glad I stopped by :)

[Eilis]

Hi, Jord. Thanks for your kind words and your visit. All the best.

[LitStar]

very nicely written


really drew me in

[Eilis]

Many thanks, LitStar

[Robert Trakofler]

yum yum yum give me autumn... give me fall, just don't fall in autumn slipping however is fine... but i always fall for autumn! You and me both sister the world is rapidly taking our autumn away from us and i think sometimes that's why i treasure it so! I'm afraid I am gonna have to buy that one, dear Eilis you are an autumn soul indeed:) pretty pretty words

[Eilis]

Hey, Robert :D...thanks for the fun review. Yeah, things are definitely changing with the changing seasons. Not a pleasant realization, but trying to enjoy what I can.

Thanks for stopping by. Always appreciate your visits.

[Wondering Mind]

I love Autumn in all its colourful glory. The greens of Spring and early Summer become so monotone on the (401)... But then nature lights up and a Monet is painted , naturally. Your painting took me back there, where I need to be

[Eilis]

Ah, I’m glad we share that similar vision, WM. It’s an enchanting time of year. Yes.
read moreAh, I’m glad we share that similar vision, WM. It’s an enchanting time of year. Yes.

Thank you for sharing your lovely vision, and for stopping by.

[Kay Salisu Titilola]

Oh! This should be true.
Autumn is always like that as I used to read about it.
Because right here in my country, Autumn carries another name.

[Eilis]

What name does autumn have in your country Kay? Thank you for reading?

[Kay Salisu Titilola]

Harmattan, they called it.

[Eilis]

Lovely. Thank you for sharing that with me.