September 30, 2010

Thursday Poem - Some October

Some October, when the leaves turn gold, ask
me if I've done enough to deserve this life
I've been given. A pile of sorrows, yes, but joy
enough to unbalance the equation.

When the sky turns blue as the robes of heaven,
ask me if I've made a difference.
The road winds through the copper-colored woods;
no one sees around the bend.

Today, the wind poured out of Canada,
a river in flood, bringing down the brilliant leaves,
broken sticks and twigs, deserted nests.
Go where the current takes you.

Some twilight, when the clouds stream in from the west
like the breath of God, ask me again.

Barbara Crooker,
Originally published in Borderlands:
The Texas Poetry Review

4 singing pebbles:

Valerie said...

Beautiful poem. Thanks for posting it. Now I will need to find more by that poet.

Nan said...

When it first began I thought the poem was by Mary Oliver. It had that kind of appreciation.

This was so, so wonderful. She is such a good poet. She really 'sees.' I like especially 'bringing down the brilliant leaves' - so true this time of year for us. Any wind, and rain and they fall.

Thank you so much. I will look for more of her work.

Anonymous said...

Yes, a pile of sorrows...but joy enough to carry on. Thank you for this poem....

One Woman's Journey said...

Go where the current takes you - spoke to my heart.
Beautiful poem...