In Late Autumn
the Valley rests
when canals run dry,
as harvests end,
wind blusters, temperature drops
when canals run dry,
ducks and geese abandon the banks,
crows perch on bare branches nearby
as harvests end,
dry peach pits and almond hulls underfoot,
no drone of machines or bees,
wind blusters, temperature drops,
leaves removed from eaves and gutters,
thirsting for rain.
Out of Season
Just two weeks before spring,
the two pumpkins huddle together on our back patio --
old friends,
sitting comfortably --
it was their good fortune
to escape the carving knife
which turned others into jack o' lanterns
and insured a quick demise.
Rather,
this pair proudly adorned the front porch,
heralding, celebrating
fall's arrival --
even managing to hold their places
through most of winter.
But, with the New Year,
they were finally banished to the back
where they sit
almost forgotten and unnoticed,
yet content in knowing
they have outlasted
most of their kind.
(Published in Song of the San Joaquin Spring, 2005)
An educator for over 30 years, Nancy Haskett retired in 2011 and is a member of the Ina Coolbrith Circle, MoSt (Modesto Stanislaus Poetry Center), as well as a local writing group. Her work has appeared in more than 40 publications, including the anthology More than Soil, More than Sky; Stanislaus Connections; Homestead Review; Iodine Press; Song of the San Joaquin; The Pen Woman; Monterey Poetry Review and more. In her spare time, Nancy enjoys reading, traveling, walking, and spending time with her family. Her poetry collection, Shadows & Reflections, is available on Amazon.
the Valley rests
when canals run dry,
as harvests end,
wind blusters, temperature drops
when canals run dry,
ducks and geese abandon the banks,
crows perch on bare branches nearby
as harvests end,
dry peach pits and almond hulls underfoot,
no drone of machines or bees,
wind blusters, temperature drops,
leaves removed from eaves and gutters,
thirsting for rain.
Out of Season
Just two weeks before spring,
the two pumpkins huddle together on our back patio --
old friends,
sitting comfortably --
it was their good fortune
to escape the carving knife
which turned others into jack o' lanterns
and insured a quick demise.
Rather,
this pair proudly adorned the front porch,
heralding, celebrating
fall's arrival --
even managing to hold their places
through most of winter.
But, with the New Year,
they were finally banished to the back
where they sit
almost forgotten and unnoticed,
yet content in knowing
they have outlasted
most of their kind.
(Published in Song of the San Joaquin Spring, 2005)
An educator for over 30 years, Nancy Haskett retired in 2011 and is a member of the Ina Coolbrith Circle, MoSt (Modesto Stanislaus Poetry Center), as well as a local writing group. Her work has appeared in more than 40 publications, including the anthology More than Soil, More than Sky; Stanislaus Connections; Homestead Review; Iodine Press; Song of the San Joaquin; The Pen Woman; Monterey Poetry Review and more. In her spare time, Nancy enjoys reading, traveling, walking, and spending time with her family. Her poetry collection, Shadows & Reflections, is available on Amazon.
