October, 2001

October 19th

©  by  Janet Amundsen

Today broke open
Like a cotton blossom,
Billowy white tinged gray
Sifting atop autumn brown.

Too damp to pick anything
But raincoat and umbrella
Off the rack by the front door.
Even pumpkin patches sit vacant.

A sense of loneliness blows
Past sealed glass lips.
Too cold for even a whisper
To part open sash.

October has its hands
Firmly around life's neck,
Here, in the Piedmont of
North Carolina.

Tomorrow will be for
Shopping for new sweaters,
Hats, and lambs wool,
Seasoned pine and starter logs.

Right now, I will sit indoors,
Watch blossoms bloom
Into autumn rain, and
Sip something warm.

Previously published in the North Carolina Poetry Society's
Award Winning Poems 2001
and used with the permission of the Poet.

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