I hike the ridge on the last warm, tousled day,
speckled as a partridge egg,
sun already stilting
shadows in early afternoon.
The leaves
are October butterflies, crimson, gold.
I want to stop earth’s tilt-a-whirl right here,
hold this moment that feels so much like love
before the winter’s swordsmith hones his blade.
– Sarah Russell
First published in Poppy Road Review
Photo by Greg A. Hartford
For Poets United Mid-week motif: Autumn
Sarah Russell Poetry 
Lovely, Sarah. Stopping the Earth’s “tilt-a-whirl” – if only for a wee while – sounds like a fine idea.
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Thanks, Robert. Autumn is my favorite season. I just want it to last and last!
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Such tousled love!
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Thanks, Susan. That’s how it always seems to me in autumn. A fine tousled season!
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Lovely.
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Thanks, Terri Lynn.
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Love the eloquence with which you root your ideas/emotions in crisp imagery. Again and again, I am impressed and inspired by your poems. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you so much, Ryan. High praise!
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ah, yes. to hold this lovely piece of time and beauty, just a bit longer –
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Always my wish in fall.
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Glorious images captured in this piece, Sarah. The vibrancy and energy of a glowing autumn day!
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Thanks, Sandra. This fall has been especially beautiful. I hate for it to end.
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This is exquisite….the leaves October butterflies, the warmth that feels like love. I am back from an evening beach walk…..we are right on the edge of the weather turning, soaking up every bit of amber sunshine.
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Thanks, Sherry. Yes, the light is different in the fall, isn’t it — amber sunshine…
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“I hike the ridge on the last warm, tousled day,
speckled as a partridge egg,” love
A lovely poem
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Thanks a lot, Marja!
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Till then let’s cherish the autumnal hues
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Yes, yes! The color is especially vibrant this fall, and I want it to last and last. Thanks for stopping by, Vandana.
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tilt-a-whirl … love that!!!
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Thanks, Rajani!
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Gorgeous imagery! I want to go for a hike now. 🙂
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You have to take it easy for a few weeks, Al. Then you can hike again. Hope you’re doing OK.
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Haha I know, but I can always go for a nice stroll. 😀 and I’m doing well thanks! Hope you are the same.
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I loved the concept behind the words; “before the winter’s swordsmith hones his blade”.
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Thanks, John. It always seems to me that the winter wind is cutting, so I had some fun trying to personify it.
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I can hear the leaves crunch as you take your walk. Yes, the seasons make each day different.
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Thanks, Annell. I love having 4 seasons too.
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To ‘Stop earth’s tilt-a-whirl’ resonates here.
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Thanks, Imelda. I always want to stop the world and get off in autumn.
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🙂 If only it will be a long autumn straight to spring. 🙂
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Absolutely enchanting piece, and I especially like this line:
“The leaves are October butterflies…”
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Thanks, Khaya. I was on a walk one day and actually thought a leaf was a butterfly. Sometimes the metaphors just fall in your lap. I love it when that happens!
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That final line is ominous!
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Yup. I”m getting to the age where winter isn’t the friend it used to be.
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I think you must have been with me this last week! Except, I miss the leaves which resemble butterflies. I have golden coins up here in Alaska and the butterflies are in Oregon.
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No butterflies in Alaska, Kris? I didn’t know that, but it stands to reason. I imagine your leaves are gone now, and you’re hunkering down for the cold.
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Not the leaf kind. Maple leaves make better fall butterflies. We have a few normal winged kinds up here that I see on occasion.
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Just beautiful. I love your musings here. Very fine.
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Thanks a lot, Jamztoma!
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love the way you wove the seasons in to this poem with the imagery – pheasant’s egg; winter steely white as a swordsmith – a tender and lovely poem Sarah
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Thanks so much, Laura!
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A delightful poem, Sarah. The images you word-paint are stunning!
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Thanks so much, Jammy. Your comment didn’t get eaten. It’s just that the first time someone posts a comment, WordPress sends it to me for approval. That helps keep out the trolls. That hasn’t happened yet, but in today’s environment, you never know…
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Nice job with that last line, SR.
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Thanks! And thanks for stopping by.
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