Tilt-
ed
head like a bird
with goodbye in its eyes,
summer is about to leave us
behind.
Ahead,
autumn’s about to glow;
a hello in its eyes.
I feel the world
tilt-
ing.
Kim M. Russell, 4th September 2025
I can’t believe it’s Thursday already and, at the dVerse Poets Pub, we are Meeting the Bar with Björn and cinquains.
Björn says that, when he started to write poetry, one of his go-to forms was the (American) cinquain, because it fitted well into twitter when it was only 140 characters.
Created by Adelaide Crapsey, the cinquain is a five-line poem based on a syllable count of 2-4-6-8-2, but with plenty of variations. We dVerse poets have written them before. They can be written as a single stanza, reversed or mirror.

Oh, I really love the tilt you made the mirrored format. What we have before us is at least great to begin with.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Björn. Autumn is my favourite season, but it’s much too short, and winter storms in too quickly and outstays its welcome far too long.
LikeLike
Enjoyed this welcome to autumn. I feel the world tilt most of the time these days.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m pleased you enjoyed it. Yes, I too feel it most of the time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really dug this, Kim; esp the tilts. Salute
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Ron.
LikeLike
Bravo, nice one
Thanks for dropping by my blog
much♡love
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Gillena, and much love to you.
LikeLike
Wonderful poem of transition. It’s all good, with acceptance of the way of things.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Lisa. I love autumn but, as I’ve sad before, it doesn’t last long enough – suddenly it’s winter, and that always drags on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Kim, and I hear you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautifully rendered…I love the bird with the tilted head
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Truedessa.
LikeLike
I feel that tilt, too. I love your poem and picture 🧡
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Lisa.
LikeLike
Ha, I too have written on the changing season – though it’s Spring which is trying to happen here. (Autumn is my favourite season too, but Spring can be OK when it stops being flighty.)
That bird pic is so perfect for this poem, it makes me wonder if you found it first and then wrote the poem inspired by it. 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Rosemary. Having seen so many birds with tilted heads, especially robins, I had to hunt for a picture to fit the cinquain!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Even better!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love, love, love your tilted cinquain! 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Carol!
LikeLike
Love the
tilts.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m glad you like them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww so cute, gorgeous little birds, I love tilted with goodbye in its eyes…lovely Kim.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Diane.
LikeLike
Brilliant. Truly.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Marilyn!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! You captured the transition so beautifully, Kim.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Punam!
LikeLike
Love the tilting from summer to autumn. I also love autumn season.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Grace.
LikeLike
The tilt is perfect ~ seasons changing is one of the ultimate tilts, I think.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you very much.
LikeLike
Beautifully written, Kim. I love your bird!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Dwight!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the tilt of your letters that lead us from summer to autumn, Kim. This adds so much to the mood and tone of your cinquain. A delightful poem to read!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Colleen!
LikeLike
Cool! Yes, the tilting is cool, and the poem looks to me like the shape of an eye, the goodbye eye of summer and the hello eye of autumn.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! I only just noticed the eye shape!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This poem is lovely. I am glad South Africa is now in spring and winter is a long time away.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Robbie. Enjoy spring!
LikeLike
Lovely 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Cue the Beatles: I don’t know what you say goodbye, I say hello
LikeLiked by 1 person