do you know what the earth meditates upon in autumn?
when north wind breathes fresh worship
over cornfield of heavy stalks bowed down
as ripe apples bless orchard with abundance
and tumbleweeds dance across rural road?
when crispy leaves gather in harvest pile
over rich soil fully yielded to waning sun
as pumpkins swell with orange-ribbed grace
and squirrel chatters praise for scattered nuts?
do you know what the earth meditates upon in autumn?
The beginning (and ending) question is from Pablo Neruda’s El Libro de las Preguntas.
a poem in my pocket 
Oct 23, 2019 @ 10:19:46
I like the spiritualty of the poem, You’ve woven some beautiful words together.
Oct 23, 2019 @ 11:04:49
I appreciate your comments, thanks.
Oct 23, 2019 @ 03:19:07
this is charming Lynn – especially like your use of worship in that first line, followed by the bowing down
thank you for joining in – glad the Neruda quote spoke to you
Oct 23, 2019 @ 09:13:40
Thank you, Laura, for the interesting prompt…leading us with questions!
Oct 23, 2019 @ 02:00:16
I like the circular feel to this poem, Lynn, with the question at beginning and end, still looking for an answer. I love the line ‘as pumpkins swell with orange-ribbed grace’ – it glows.
Oct 23, 2019 @ 09:14:16
Thanks so much, Kim 🙂
Oct 22, 2019 @ 23:15:28
Lovely!
Oct 22, 2019 @ 19:34:15
Using the question as preface and epilogue, as book ends, is very creative. Also I like that you expanded the world of the poem, yet let the reader still strive to answer the question/refrain.
Oct 22, 2019 @ 22:38:48
Thanks for your comments, Glenn!
Oct 22, 2019 @ 19:25:40
I love the autumn colors and theme, specially: orange-ribbed grace. We chose the same poetry line.
Oct 22, 2019 @ 22:40:19
Yes, it fit the season. Thanks for stopping by!
Oct 22, 2019 @ 18:29:45
Orange-ribbed grace…one of the several wonderful images in this poem. Full of quiet worship.
Oct 22, 2019 @ 17:46:51
Also love the ‘orange ribbed grace’ of the pumpkin x lovely
Oct 22, 2019 @ 17:34:15
Mindfulness is what I’m hearing and such wonderful things the earth experiences to enjoy, in the moment. Beautiful poem, Lynn ❤
Oct 22, 2019 @ 22:47:12
Meditation=Mindfulness…thank you, Lisa!
Oct 23, 2019 @ 15:06:58
You’re welcome.
Oct 22, 2019 @ 16:34:05
The pumpkins, swelling with “orange-ribbed grace,” is my favorite image in this poem.
Oct 22, 2019 @ 16:45:37
Thanks, I’m glad you liked it 🙂