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Friday, November 4, 2016

November in Georgia

Today's Poetry Friday host is Laura Purdie Salas at Writing the World for Kids.



Welcome to November. It's not so much the leaves falling causing issues here at my house at it is the acorns. The patio is covered in acorns. The yard is covered in acorns. When the wind blows, acorns fall from the nether regions of my treetops and pelt the tin roof of my sunporch. They pop, bounce, and roll, sometimes jolting me out of my skin. 

Tradition says that an abundance of acorns means a hard winter. So far, there is only drought and residual heat to greet this Deep South November. If you're coming to NCTE in Atlanta in a few weeks, you won't need your heavy coat, unless things change pretty soon, but don't count on it. It's not likely that I will be there, as grand baby number nine is imminent. I spent part of the afternoon yesterday rubbing that sweet little mama's swollen ankles. I can't wait to hold that sweet boy in my arms. I'll keep you posted.

As for poetry, I was delighted to find this poem by Thomas Hood, written in 1844. 

Enjoy.


NO!
by Thomas Hood

        No sun—no moon!
        No morn—no noon—
No dawn—
        No sky—no earthly view—
        No distance looking blue—
No road—no street—no “t’other side the way”—
...
No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,
        No comfortable feel in any member—
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds,
November!

You may read the full poem here.

18 comments:

  1. Doraine, thanks for the heads up on weather in Atlanta during NCTE 16 time. Issues with acorns-a twist to autumn's leaf storms and I do like the poem you shared. Best of luck with GrandBaby #9. Wow!

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    1. Leaves, acorns. I could stand a little bit of cool weather to go with them. Thanks, Carol.

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  2. Your weather sounds like ours in Denver, warm and dry! The acorn scene reminds me of a walnut tree we had in Missouri near our deck. Lots of dropping action then, too! Best wishes for that new baby, and your poem is definitely one of my favorites-feels very clever to me!

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    1. I can't even imagine walnuts falling on my roof! These acorns sometimes sound like they must be as big as walnuts.

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  3. Oh, I'm jealous of your heat and dry at the moment - we've just wrapped up the rainiest October on record, and everything just feels grey and soggy and mildewy - share some of that sun with us up north, please! And grandbaby #9 - how exciting!!

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    1. Sorry for the grey and soggy and mildewy. That doesn't sound like much fun either.

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  4. Ha! If you have an abundance of acorns...can I ship you some of our excessive squirrels?! Grandbaby....Grandmother. What beautiful words. Many congratulations and prayers for safe delivery. If you hadn't included the date with the poem by Hood I never would have guessed 1844. It has some spunk to it that makes me smile. Have a great week.

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    1. I have plenty of my own squirrels, thank you very much. But I'd be happy to ship you some acorns! Yes, Hood's poem sounds much more modern, doesn't it?

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  5. Ha - clever poem! And what a blessed daughter to have mama close to rub feet as the wait continues.

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    1. Thanks, Violet. I am enjoying having this daughter close to home. The rest are all very far away.

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  6. Wow, that poem just about sums it up for me--No! November is probably my least favorite month of the year.

    Here's hoping the delivery is swift and easy!

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    1. Agreed. Probably my least favorite, too. Thanks for the swift and easy wish.

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  7. So clever to play on the NO in November. Not sure I've seen that done before! Thanks for the weather update, as I'll be at NCTE. Sorry you won't be there, but enjoy #9! And don't trip over the acorns. Thanks for sharing this, Dori!

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  8. Sounds like Texas weather, too! Congrats on your grand baby coming!

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  9. We've had fewer than usual acorns and we haven't missed the rain of their loud pounding on the roof, not one single bit!

    We'll miss you at NCTE, but congrats on #9!!

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  10. Maybe think of those popping, bouncing acorns as the tick-tock tick-tock until your sweet grandson arrives. That's one heck of a big YES all by itself! Can't wait to see photos, Dori!

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