Tattered trees pose, stark in their tracery, leaves all fallen sopping to the ground without a sound. A thin veil of amber hints at a struggling sun behind the mist, a sensual bounty across town and country. Warning of the coming chill, frost and fog cover every hill, the muffled silence broken only by the footstep echoes of the lonely.
Kim M. Russell, 29th November 2022
John Atkinson Grimshaw, A November Morning (1883)
This Tuesday’s Poetics at the dVerse Poets Pub is hosted by Merril with an ekphrastic prompt she calls The Landscape Sleeps, after a line from a John Clare poem, ‘The Shepherd’s Calendar: November’.
Merril has chosen four paintings, each depicting November in a different way. She says that the final painting does not have November in its title, but chrysanthemums are not only the November birth flower, but they are also popular autumn flowers.
Our challenge is easy-peasy: Merril asks us to choose one of the paintings and write an ekphrastic poem in any style or form.
writing in north norfolk 
Oh, I love this, Kim! I would love to hear you read it. It is so full of great sounds–those t’s at the beginning and the assonance. Lovely imagery, too. Thank you so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Merril, for your lovely comment and for the lovely range of images, although I know I would choose this one as soon as I saw it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome. I knew I would choose this one, too, but I thought it might just be me. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
We both chose the same painting! Kims as one!
But our responses are very different. I love your rhymes and sounds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Kim!
LikeLiked by 1 person
PS: For some reason WordPress won’t let me ‘like’ this post. Hmmmm
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t worry about it, I enjoy reading the comments. I’ve had that problem occasionally and haven’t found out why it happens. When I go back to try again, it seems to work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I have found that- it’s weird !
LikeLike
I have had this issue also when I click from Mr. Linky from my phone. I’m glad I’m not going crazy, it isn’t just me 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve harnessed a moment’s atmosphere exquisitely here, Kim. I can hear the lonely footsteps echoing along this lane.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lisa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A great poem, Kim. I love the struggling sun…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dwight.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve caught that amber light perfectly. (K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Ketfe!
LikeLike
“A thin veil of amber hints at a struggling sun behind the mist” …beautiful writing Kim. The poem repaints the image in splendid verse — excellent my friend. I chose same image — hard to resist.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Rob. It’s a popular image.
LikeLike
Beautiful poem. I love the imagery ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sylvia.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Kim 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You make the dread of winter sound so beautiful. The struggling amber sun part was a nice turn of phrase. I thought that ending with lonely footsteps was perfect. Overall, very enjoyable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much!
LikeLike
I think we both feel the harsh reality of winter, even today. What must it have been like for the poor in those days? The dull light and the chill damp come over so well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jane. The sun really is struggling today and it has definitely got colder. I’m looking forward to spending time with Ellen and the boys from tomorrow afternoon and hope it stays dry.
LikeLike
It’s got cold here too. Colder than it ought to be. Not good news.
Hope it stays fine for you tomorrow. We have our one and only bringing her parents over on Sunday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful art, I have been that leaf, this piece reminds me of a lonely time in my life and inspires me to write. Thank you for the inspiration ❤
"sopping to the ground
without a sound." "echoes of the lonely"
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for reading and commenting.😊
LikeLike
Lovely tracery of the Season.
Thanks for dropping by my blog.
Much💜love
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Gillena, and much love to you!
LikeLike
So beautiful, Kim, especially the opening and the closing lines are so evocative! Love the imagery.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is so kind of you to say, Punam! Thank you. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
” Footsteps echo of the lonely”, lovely images painted. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person