“I write entirely to find out what I'm thinking, what I'm looking at, what I see and what it means. What I want and what I fear.” – Joan Didion
The beginning of a new era
snow has quietly graced us
with its ever loving presence.
I admire the flakes falling
while taking the time
the following day to
dig out my car from
the blanket it left behind.
At sunset, I see through
the leaveless trees
as we drive I admire
the change that brought us
back to the end of
the year in preparation
for the next.
The cycles of life -
trees lose their leaves
the sun sets mid-afternoon
laundry needs to be cleaned
a poem is written within minutes
enjoy the moment even when
it's a mundane task
appreciate the beauty in
the bare trees
catch the sunset
if you're facing east
at 4 PM
Winter arrived early
In mid-November
An abrupt break
in the atmosphere
marking the end of autumn
and the start of winter
without warning
we brace of the waves
there’s a sense of calm
that comes from
the surprise of seasons
before they’re meant
to happen.
To a sea coast town
in mid-November
quiet streets
summer tourists
a distant memory
Christmas lights
strung on trees
cold wind welcomes
early winter weather
we wander through
bookstores and gift shops
have tea at a coffee shop
small pumpkins on window sills
looking out at a low-tide harbor
boats above puddles of wet sand
heart in my matcha
I appreciate these lovely days
I spiral out I spiral back
the thought patterns
slowly fade the more
I pay attention
naming what is
lets go of the gravity of
my fickle imagination
I look up I look out
appreciating the colors above
until they blanket
the ground
In the moment, overwhelming feelings
can carry a heavy weight on your psyche.
But then another day comes, a new week
begins, slowly but surely, the intensity
fades into the numbness of your mind.
The storms of life will pass,
for every feeling that feels like
it will live heavy on your mind
for all of time is actually momentary.
The rain will fall, vanish into
the minutes in time and likely,
be lost in the memories you can
no longer recall.
Wandering through a graveyard,
a classic east coast event
to participate in at least
once every autumn.
The sun flares through
the leaves that will
blanket the ground
the next week in
flaming orange colors.
For now, the air is crisp,
the changing seasons
will soon take effect.
The ghosts will dance
as pumpkins line along
the stone wall and children
run by laughing with candy
in large pillowcases.
Summer rain one August evening
opened up a rainbow across the road
a fading twin in the background —
ah, what a moment!
The pure delight of nature
doesn’t go unnoticed.
In a season of change,
I give grace to myself
as time continues to flow
beyond my fingertips.
I breathe in deep appreciation
for the changing colors
of the leaves, showing the beauty
of the earth as they shed from
the trees. This time is fleeting,
winter is coming, enjoy the colors
while you see them.
Days are shortening
the air is still thick
with summer heat
I try my best to remain
afloat
my mind wanders away
I patiently wait for its
inevitable return
my eventual return
to the present
what a gift it is
to see the moon
consistently changing
as do we, always evolving
always growing into
new and strange versions
of who we are becoming.
Kelly Severseike 