SOL2015 March 22 - Autumn Days And Memories of Keats


I woke this morning to a crisp autumn morning. I walked for over an hour, beside the sea, along the streets of my town. This morning was the kind of morning that possibly inspired John Keats to write his iconic ode ‘To Autumn’  

‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
        Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
    Conspiring with him how to load and bless
        With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;’

It’s almost a year since I visited Keats grave in a small cemetery in Rome. He lies in the only protestant cemetery in Rome. Keats is not the only luminary buried here though. The cemetery is beautifully maintained. It was most gratifying to encounter Keats in this tranquil setting. It was unexpected, making it even more memorable.




I first became aware of Keats during my secondary schoolboy years. He was there when my poet’s heart was awakened.  The opening words of his poem, To Autumn often burst out of me during these days of mellow fruitfulness.

I shall walk in the shoes of giants today. I will indulge my poet’s heart. Here is my humble offering to Autumn days. The days of my favourite season…

  
The morning air so crisp
Snaps and sparkles with promise
The early sun feeble, delicate
So light on my shoulders
Will muster strength
With the day’s unfolding
Autumn days keep their promises
Its harvest is delivered

Mornings mists are approaching
Winter lurks in the shadows
I hear it in the whisper of leaves
But for now
I embrace the gentle charms of the mellow season
And exult the blessed words
Keats left for me

Comments

  1. Anonymous22 March 2015 at 19:10

    You make autumn sound so cozy! I do miss the variety of autumn, but not the knowledge that it would mean winter is on it's way. Nice use of a mentor.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Terje 22 March 2015 at 23:10

    A beautiful poem. Fascinating, how in Estonia I yearn for spring, in Australia you enjoy the fall, and winter is lurks in the shadows in both places. I like that you included the inspiration for your poem in this slice.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Melanie Meehan22 March 2015 at 23:30

    Love the line about winter lurking in the shadows. It's funny to read it while here, we are trying to lure Spring in from behind the trees. I think that the shoes of those giants are fitting pretty well, Alan.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Carol Varsalona22 March 2015 at 23:42

    Alan, the lead in to your poem is seamless. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about the season you are experiencing-autumn. Perhaps, you would like to peruse the Finding Fall Gallery, a global expression of the season in poetry and photos from writers around the globe: http://beyondliteracylink.blogspot.com/2014/12/finding-fall-gallery-is-here-with.html.

    I am now working on designing the Gallery of Winter Whisperings and wondering whether you might want to offer your poem with a photo to show how we are experiencing winter in the states while you are immersed in fall.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Linda B22 March 2015 at 23:54

    When others post about fall in the states, they too often talk of its glory, how it is their favorite. I do wonder if it's the feel of it after so much heat, or the color, although we've had flowers all the spring and summer long? You make me want to hurry on to autumn, Alan! Your poem is lovely, and I love this line "I hear it in the whisper of leaves". Enjoy the days!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lee Ann Spillane23 March 2015 at 01:17

    What gorgeous pictures. Love the lines "walking in the shoes of giants" indulging your "poet's heart" indeed. Glorious.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sally23 March 2015 at 01:33

    I loved your post. I loved learning from your site that you have written a book about being a writing teacher. And you reminded me again of the importance of perspective. While I'm getting ready for Spring in the USA, not all are. So often I only think about MY world and you remind me that in Australia, you are bracing for winter as fall is coming to an end. Thanks for your post. You have a new fan.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Joanne23 March 2015 at 02:40

    Winter lurks in the shadows
    I hear it in the whisper of leaves

    I love the whisper of the leaves - I am watching for leaves as spring oh so slowing arrives in northern United States. Your morning walks sound wonderful. Thanks for sharing Keats and your work with us.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous23 March 2015 at 04:46

    The background information and pictures enhance the reason for your poem. I enjoyed reading that before reading your poem about fall. Thanks for the reminder that the world is a big place!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Maureen23 March 2015 at 08:11

    Really is magical to imagine so many awaiting fall as we here in the United States are awaiting spring...such an awesome, amazing Earth! Your opening line is the stuff of envy, "I woke this morning to a crisp autumn morning. I walked for over an hour, beside the sea, along the streets of my town." Beautiful opportunity, beautiful poetry that you offered.

    ReplyDelete
  11. PAMELA HODGES23 March 2015 at 11:39

    Your story even sounds like poetry. It has a cadence all of its own.

    "I woke this morning to a crisp autumn morning. I walked for over an hour, beside the sea, along the streets of my town."

    ReplyDelete
  12. PAMELA HODGES23 March 2015 at 14:17

    Your story even sounds like poetry. It has a cadence all of its own.

    "I woke this morning to a crisp autumn morning. I walked for over an hour, beside the sea, along the streets of my town."

    ReplyDelete

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