Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Autumn Equinox (Poem)

Autumn Equinox

Day and night
divide

as equals
rush headlong

together

signaler
and harvester

both
of what we know

is to come
will surely fall

in surrender
be gathered

up
returned

to ground
called —

like our spirits
stripped

ready
and waiting —

to rise
yet

and then again.

© 2011 Maureen E. Doallas


This poem is dedicated to Christine Valters Paintner, of Abbey of the Arts, whose recent beautifully written essay about the season's arrival, "Autumn: The Season of Paradox", was my inspiration.

My audio of the poem:

 Audio Recording of Autumn Equinox by mdoallas
at

22 comments:

  1. GlynnOctober 4, 2011 at 6:49 AM

    Lovely poem, Maureen -- the sense of the inevitability of the natural order.

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  2. Steve GravanoOctober 4, 2011 at 7:39 AM

    Beautiful, just like autumn.

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  3. S. EtoleOctober 4, 2011 at 8:15 AM

    A beautiful cycle of promise and life.

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  4. Louise GallagherOctober 4, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    What beautiful inspiration arose from Christine's essay.

    Lovely.

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  5. Cris FerreiraOctober 4, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    Nature has its seasons and we have our seasons in life too.
    Beautiful poem, Maureen!

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  6. katdishOctober 4, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    Just perfect, Maureen. And very comforting.

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  7. AnonymousOctober 4, 2011 at 12:10 PM

    you words
    standing tall in my garden
    a stem upholding
    lovely withered petals
    surrounding seeds
    to feed the little birds

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  8. Brian MillerOctober 4, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    the cycle of life...rising and falling...reused in another...for the good of all...

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  9. Jenne' R. Andrews October 4, 2011 at 3:30 PM

    This form creates such a powerful tension, sense of the speaker striving for exactitude-- an exquisite and contemplative. I especially love:

    Day and night
    divide

    as equals
    rush headlong

    together

    signaler
    and harvester

    xxxj

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  10. Pat HattOctober 4, 2011 at 3:55 PM

    Natural balance to things and your verse, very nice.

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  11. ayalaOctober 4, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    lovely poem about the cycle of life.

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  12. MaureenOctober 4, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    SoundCloud appears to be having some technical difficulties, so if the audio is not working on your visit, please check back here later to listen to my recording. Thank you.

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  13. BeachannyOctober 4, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    Didn't get to hear the recording, but I loved the balance and the nostalgia inherent in the season, fitted into your lines. Beautiful. G.

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  14. AnonymousOctober 4, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    nice picture of hope

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  15. floydOctober 4, 2011 at 6:43 PM

    This is beautiful... We are like the earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
    Wonderful.

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  16. Chris G.October 4, 2011 at 7:01 PM

    Quite the cycle. Like a phoenix from the ashes...a beautiful depiction of the season, and life.

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  17. hedgewitchOctober 4, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    Fall and spring have the most beautiful poems written for them--something about them must speak to us very deeply of our own connection and renewal in their force--as expressed so simply and with such smoothness here.

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  18. UnknownOctober 4, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    The construction and separations make this piece all the more powerful. It's spareness lends to the essential message within, the inescapable cycles of life. Enjoyable read.

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  19. Ann LeFloreOctober 5, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    What a wonderful promise and the cycle of life so well done and can see how you were inspired to write this
    http://gatelesspassage.com/2011/10/04/memories/#comment-1442

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  20. a joyful noiseOctober 5, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    Amen, I know from whence I came, and I know where I am going, my ashes really do no matter, for God has a new body for especially for me being prepared.

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  21. robkistnerOctober 5, 2011 at 7:41 PM

    This was really excellent Maureen --

    "...rush headlong
    together
    signaler
    and harvester..."

    I found this passage to be strong.

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  22. Maxwell Mead Williams Robinson BarryOctober 6, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    profound flow.
    wow.

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