Wednesday, October 1, 2008


Midnight. September 30

Wait. Shhhh! Listen. Did you hear that? No? There it is again, are you certain you didn’t hear something? Coming from down the road, or ... maybe ... just outside that window? Sort of an lyrical, otherworldly sound ... pleasant, but a bit mysterious. A bird ? Perhaps a raven? Or... maybe... laughter? Black cat .. or bat ... or rat? Maybe. Perhaps you should check behind that door, just in case I’m right. I know I definitely heard something, and don’t try to tell me it was just the wind. Oh wait, I know what it is ... I remember now. It’s October! Oh yes, can’t you see it? Just slipping through the trees and wafting across the stream. Look, there’s color leading the way, with wind and music and firelight right behind her! Oh, I think I saw a witch there in back and yes, there’s that laughter again. I’m certain that was a jack-o-lantern grinning out from behind all those swirling scarlet maple leaves, and I can just make out a thin sickle moon and several pale ghosts somewhere near the end of the line. Yes, yes, and now I smell apples and wood smoke as well! October! Now can you see all those lovely days lined up just outside the window?? Look... I can count thirty-one of them, all heading this way.
Go ahead, open the door. Invite them all in!
October is here.


October's Party

October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came-
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.

George Cooper


34 comments:

  1. thank you for bringing the fall to me. Living in So. Cal., means I gave up one of my favorite seasons.

    ReplyDelete
  2. One of my favorite months is here at long last. Welcome October!...Lovely poem and great art work!

    ReplyDelete
  3. love this post! i wish i could take the entire month of october off work so i could just play and drink in every sight, sound and smell!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. October rode in on a gust of wind, bringing with it a morning shower that left us a sparkling day. A lovely way to begin the month!

    ReplyDelete
  5. This post captured today so perfectly. I woke up with a smile on my face this morning. For once. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh yes, that is exactly what we heard. One of the most romantic months of the year. Love that poem. Lisa & Alfie

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yes, I heard and felt it arrive last night! My favorite month of the entire year. I welcome it with relish and savor every minute because it passes all too quickly.

    As you can see I am celebrating October in style this year! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Another one who loves October here. It got off to a beautiful start, too, with a gorgeous rainbow stretching from the moor opposite, across the valley and all the way onto my hilltop.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lovely piece of writing...It's reminding me of some english writer's ghostly story about someone who heard pagan timbrels at night and almost got himself into some trouble on that account. Time to open up the musty volumes! Where do you get your wonderful pictures? It would be nice to know who the illustrators are.

    ReplyDelete
  10. This put me in a great autumn mood. Thank you, P.

    ReplyDelete
  11. October and I have a love hate thing.
    I like the cosy fireside and shutting the curtains, but I hate driving around in the wet and dark. I love the Autumn leaves but one October day my Father died.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Isn't the painting by a Scottish painter?
    A fun welcome to fall, Pamela. It is beautiful, isn't it? The leaves are just starting to turn here, but I understand Upper Michigan and Northern Wisconsin are glorious now.

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a lovely post! Perfect for the first day of October. I stopped by to see your dress of green feathers and stardust - beautiful! It was lovely to see you at Willow's ball!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Yes, your poem reminded me of Willow's ball.A delightful poem and post.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your post made my blood race! I sooo love October and it's great to read that so many others share my passion. We have an Autumn Fair to go to this weekend, and I'm fairly hopping with excitement :)

    Kim x

    ReplyDelete
  16. We had a lovely October start here yesterday, a fresh wind was sweeping through the trees and the sun was shining in between the odd steely grey rain cloud.
    You looked fabulous at Willows party last night, it was such fun wasn't it. I hope Willow has another ball next year.
    Maybe you should host a Halloween ball i think you'd be fantastic at it? If you do, could i borrow one of your witches hats you posted about the other day?

    ReplyDelete
  17. I paid my own homage to my favourite season a couple of weeks ago. Thanks for this lovely post.

    Greetings from London.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love that poem! I can just see it being illustrated by Molly Brett with lots of little creatures drinking dew cup. :-)

    Happy October!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Our October weather is playing tricks on us, today we had the most terrible hail storm. I think it might be something to do with that mischievous Jack O' Lantern.

    ReplyDelete
  20. And a very happy October to you Pamela, Edward and miss A from all of us here at 29 Black Street and especially from Miss Winnie Dixon. We all love October too. xo, S.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Yes, our first New York fall for two years - we were away in Morocco before.
    I love fall best of all the seasons.
    What a wonderfully colored picture.
    Rats for Edward.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I just love this piece from beginning to end. The poem just finishes it off nicely. I love October - my birthday is on Hallowe'en - I think the best day in the year to have a birthday. Have so enjoyed reading this - I've read it three times and still find something different each time.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Ah yes October has arrived!
    'Tis cool here today, the woodstove is burning and the kitties are lying on the hearth beneath it.
    Ominous clouds fill the sky but our hearts are full of warmth for this tenth month of the year brings falling leaves, pumpkin pie and fragrant cider.Not to mention witches, goblins and ghouls.
    xo Susan

    ReplyDelete
  24. Today really did feel exactly as your words and the poem. " Oktoberfest", a fall celebration to raise a "stein" to and dance a little jig.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hmmmm......autumn is in the air in blogland.....and I must say that there is something lyrical and otherwordly about *you* and your marvelous blog...

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wow this is wonderful Pamela...
    you write so well :)
    I like this time of year too... in fact I think all my paintings are set in between October and January!
    (in the northern hemisphere obviously)
    I think Sharmanka is permanently in Glasgow... are you thinking of visiting?!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Yet again, beautiful words. October, over here, has been very wet until today. I've just come back from a walk and the sun has been lovely but the stong wind has made my head ache with the constant buffeting. Still, it was nice to see the sun which will hopefully leave us with a beautiful evening sky:)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Edward is an absolute gem to find all this lovely poetry and be such an astute judge of the seasons. You're so kind to write it all down for him too.

    ReplyDelete
  29. October is such a beautiful month. It gives our senses many gifts.

    Melissa

    ReplyDelete
  30. Very beautiful.I was so looking forward to read your posts...
    "Now can you see all those lovely days lined up outside your window"...yes I can !

    ReplyDelete
  31. Dear Pamela and Edward, I have been taking a blogging break but popping in and out to read and keep up with my blog friends. I loved this post... my heart sings when the leaves begin to turn and fall. And my soul does feel like throwing a party ...and dancing and dancing in the falling leaves. Thanks for the whimsy...

    Blessings,
    Christi

    ReplyDelete
  32. My absolute favorite month for many reasons :-)

    Thanks for this lovely poem ...writing it down in my journal now to save it for always.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I love your writing on October. I love this month, wish it was longer.

    ReplyDelete

I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!