November Nov 14, 2013
The sturdy bones of the Vermont landscape are revealed now.
Inspired by a new poem from renowned musician (and Rutland native) James Mee, I went looking for November.
As the light was fading on Tuesday I returned home to find her in my back yard.
Inspiration is where we find it, and it’s often close to home.
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November
By James Mee
November, mask of beauty stark.
Trees bare to their bones.
Autumn’s splendor silent now
Reduced to sticks and stones.
Her yards fill with fallen leaves.
Raked and set to roast.
The smokey plumes at last set free
Become a thousand ghosts.
Gray skies of November bleak
A light that has no name.
Their melancholy broods the soul
As she stakes her claim.
She’s not winter, feels not fall
It is her gift, I guess.
But she is here and she is now
And I must acquiesce.
Each moment must surrender
To that proclaimed to be.
But her changes do come hard
for someone made like me.
Harsh winds blow the birds about
like swirling feathered leaves.
They whisper, “Winter’s on the way-
best warn those naked trees.”
In a moment come to be
It’s then that I remember.
This wonder of the in-between
This limbo called November.
Copyright 2013 James Mee
Hi Peter – What a great painting! I love James Mee and appreciate you sharing his new poem! Thank you:)
I love creative collaborations!
I was just feeling how grim this time of year is, and how difficult to remain upbeat, and then this lovely painting showing beauty in bleakness, and a poem which captures this season and the human response so eloquently. Perfect timing and the sun just came out!
Thanks Debbie, I agree that beauty can be found in unexpected places. We just have to work a little harder to find it.
November is a favorite month of mind,,,,and James Mee’s poem is wonderful……
Thanks Bonnie, glad you enjoyed it!
Just heard one of James’s song sung here in Lynchburg, Virginia
How Cool!