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Late Autumn
by
Beverly Finney


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All the lovely ladies
have shimmied
out of their sunset
dresses now spread
at their feet.
Their dark arms
rise from strong
bodies, lifting up
a praise song
for the coming
of winter, the season
of rest, the time
of un-encumbrance,
the time of bare
naked contemplation
when nothing else
is expected.


© by Beverly Finney.
Used with the author’s permission.

 



Beverly Finney says a chance meeting set her on a writer’s path, and a chance reading turned her to poetry. Her love of words, though, has been there from the beginning—fed by family gatherings, the “Sparky” children’s radio program, teachers, and school libraries. Beverly’s family didn’t own a television until she was in high school, leaving much of her youth open to imagination, roaming her grandparents’ farms, and reading.  Now retired, she once again has time to enjoy those same things (except roaming the farms, which were broken up and sold off over the years). Instead, these days, Beverly roams everyday places in her hometown of Hickory, North Carolina, listening for stories and “bearing witness”, she says, to the human experience at the heart of her writing.

 

 

 


Post New Comment:
Anastasia:
Wonderfully vivid images! I love the idea of "when nothing else is expected"�we're all so rushed at this time of year with holiday preparations, and the idea that there could be no expectations is a powerful one to consider. Thank you!
Posted 12/04/2020 12:48 PM
Jancan:
Such lovely use of personification!
Posted 12/01/2020 09:02 AM
Jo:
I am reading your poem late this evening and am finding the simplicity of your words very moving.
Posted 11/30/2020 11:15 PM
wayne.goodling@yahoo.com:
nice
Posted 11/30/2020 08:13 PM
peggy.turnbull:
Beautiful imagery. I particularly like "bare/naked contemplation" as it references a phrase kids on my block used. Growing older I was scolded for the redundancy, but this poem shows me how meaningful the phrase truly is!
Posted 11/30/2020 06:22 PM
bobbi43sml@aol.com:
A treat for the mind....... oh to be a tree..unemcumbered with nothing else expected. Simply marvelous, Beverly
Posted 11/30/2020 05:40 PM
Lori Levy:
Beautiful image of the trees in late autumn and a beautiful perspective.
Posted 11/30/2020 03:22 PM
Tracers645:
"...the time of bare naked contemplation when nothing else is expected." What a great thought.
Posted 11/30/2020 01:47 PM
Arlene Gay Levine:
In the brief beauty of these words there is power and wisdom. Thanks, Beverly!
Posted 11/30/2020 01:45 PM
Cathy’s Sister:
Such a lovely poem.
Posted 11/30/2020 01:12 PM
gailcomorat:
I love the strength of these trees, the idea of a praise song, the peace in this poem.
Posted 11/30/2020 10:17 AM
paradea:
Love this, Beverly!! Thought-provoking imaginary!! I miss our poetry group!
Posted 11/30/2020 10:16 AM
DavidTookey:
Now I'm awake! Rendered with grace and beauty. Well done!
Posted 11/30/2020 10:14 AM
mudlermary:
Lovely! I am going to read this poem at my book groups annual Holiday Poem Share. Thanks.
Posted 11/30/2020 09:40 AM
michael escoubas:
Textbook personification, Beverly. This is what is wonderful about poetry: Its ability to say so much by inference and suggestion, letting readers' minds interplay with yours. Congratulations on a truly superb piece.
Posted 11/30/2020 09:20 AM
cork:
Now I look forward to winter.
Posted 11/30/2020 09:19 AM
Larry Schug:
Beautiful images and thought-provoking on so many levels.
Posted 11/30/2020 09:08 AM
Gilbert Allen:
Simply elegant!
Posted 11/30/2020 07:51 AM
r1manchester:
Beverly....good thoughts, nice poem!
Posted 11/30/2020 05:58 AM


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