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Fall Girl

Missing image




Autumn never knocks at the door.
She just boots it down
marching through this room
shaking leaves off the furniture
letting a draught in.

Autumn is unemployed.
She had a dispute
with the painters-and-decorators guild -
changing colours in mid brush-stroke -
sometimes spilling whole tins of paint
all over the scenery

Autumn is a smoker.
"Twenty 'Woodsmoke' double-strength, aromatic, unfiltered please.

And a box of matches."

Autumn is too fond of her cider.
She sings too loud if she's had a few
whistling out of tune
in the forest
and down by the boats.

Autumn is a good looking girl
but she's unpopular.
Nobody likes to see her come
or go
for when she does
you just know

you're going to be seeing
her sister

and she's a cold bitch.

 

 

 

 

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Comments

1 - 24 of 24

  • Saraesa
    September 28, 2007

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    Heya Windhover

    Beautiful picture to match the poem.

    I am quite fond of this one. Every description of fall personifies the season, making it human and I think that's as it should be since we watch every season appear and then leave.
    It's about time that these changes are given a voice and personality.

    The last two stanzas and the last line of course, are my favorites. They go hand in hand with how Autumn smokes and never knock and doesn't have a job.
    I characterise the season as a reckless teenager, partying and shedding leaves all over the ground knowing that yes, her bitch sister Winter will be coming to town next. Ha! A light and humourous way to end this change of season and usually when I read poems about this it leaves me depressed.

    The only suggestions I have for you are in the third stanza, the second line runs a bit too long to make the structure pleasing to the eye and it's a temporary break of 'flow' but I suppose that's a minor thing.
    And next is the fifth line in the last full stanza, the word 'coz.' Of course, another minor thing, but personally I'd enjoy it more if 'cause' was used.

    All up to you of course and either way, I'm glad I caught this mirror of the seasons and had a chance to look through it.

    Synth


    • Windhover silver member
      September 29, 2007
      Edit | Reply

      Hyacinths don't usually like Autumn

      Hiya Synth! Hope all is well in the garden with you. Glad you liked my personification of the most written-about season. Wouldn't have thought 'Fall' would have been too popular with a little flower like yourself! Light and humorous was indeed what I was going for, a backhanded tribute to offset so many maudlin ones being written this time of year.
      In answer to your suggestions, they were not dismissed out of hand. That long line is quite deliberate, I hoped it would sound like somebody rattling off a shopping list without drawing breath. And 'cause' would have needed and apostrophe ( thus : 'cause ) which seemed over-fussy in a humorous poem.
      But thank you for reading, for such close consideration and for such positive feedback. xx >W<

  • TsarJosef
    September 23, 2007

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    The other side of the coin?

    I came from a tropical country and my impression of autumn has always been "crisp with colors" and of "wonderful walks" in Cntral Park, New York, or an off - country drive in New England States. and this "line 33" is like shoving coal into a burning furnace and telling them get real.

    I love this flip side story of autumn...hope to experience it one day or perhaps the whole season.

    . Rewarded 8


    • Windhover silver member
      September 23, 2007
      Edit | Reply

      Not Reallly

      Not so much the other side of the coin TJ, as a different way of describing the same one. The negative titles ascribed to my favourite season end up being small, back-handed compliments eventually. I was just trying to pay a compliment in poetry the same way I might in real life, wrapping it an insult so as not to cause embarrassment. If line 33 is about a 'cold bitch' (I cant seem to get line numbers up just now for some reason) then it refers not to Autumn , but her sister - Winter.
      Thanks so much for reading and commenting. >W<

  • dave ochs silver member
    September 21, 2007
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    hey john

    autumn is one of the most overdone topics in history but this was unique enuf to be worth the read. the last stanza is a very keen insight and a nice set up for a killer punchline.
    btw here in America we love autumn because its football season and i mean real FOOTBALL not the crap we call soccer that you guys kill each other over.
    dave

    . Rewarded 6


    • Windhover silver member
      September 23, 2007
      Edit | Reply

      'FOOT - ball' , bozo !

      Hey professor, thanks for commenting. You more than most should know how I shrink from direct compliments. This is the first time I've experimented with backhanded complimenting in poetic form and I was quite pleased with the result.
      As for the 'real' football, I think the word speaks for itself. Real footballers use their feet - not their hands. Your game is pretty - but ours is beautiful. That's why they call it 'The Beautiful Game' and billions follow it worldwide. Still, I like that you're a sports fan, albeit a slightly deluded one!


  • Zorro Korsou
    September 21, 2007

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    nicely build up

    this one has some humor in it. the last three lines get a smile on your face.

    'you just know you're going to be seeing her sister/and she/s a cold bitch'

    hehehe, that was nice way to finish it. where i'm from, Curacao N.A(birthplace of andruw jones) we don't really have seasons. sun sun sun and more sun. but i have to say, this one is a nice description of what autumn looks like...in words

    . Rewarded 8


    • Windhover silver member
      September 23, 2007
      Edit | Reply
      Thanks for reading and commenting here Z. Autumn gets too many compliments. Nothing really changes in that regard here except the manner of their delivery. Glad you liked it and thanks again. >W<


  • xdisturbedxemotions
    September 21, 2007
    Edit | Reply

    LOL.

    This really did make me laugh and for living in michigan i really know what its like to not want autumn to come and especially to go because that means winter is comming. That had to be my favorite part when you talked about autumns sister being a cold bitch.

    great.

    --Tori

    . Rewarded 6


    • Windhover silver member
      September 23, 2007
      Edit | Reply

      Write on!

      Thanks so much for reading and commenting here Tori. Not everyone 'got' the thing about Winter or that I really like Autumn too. And a laugh was the desired effect. Glad it worked for you. >W<


  • scribbledthoughts
    September 21, 2007

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    hehe, cute!

    especially the last line -- a windhover touch is clearly all over it.

    we don't have autumn, which is a pity -- so, it's nice to get to know her here.

    nice, light read. Thanks for this.

    Lynne

    . Rewarded 4


    • Windhover silver member
      September 23, 2007
      Edit | Reply

      Seasonalthoughts

      Hey Scribbler! I reckon if your mind was a season she'd be Autumn. Now is that an insult or a compliment would you say? Thanks for reading and liking my little poem! xx >W<


      • scribbledthoughts
        September 23, 2007
        Edit | Reply
        if you mean, partly insane, and other stuff like that, well, it would be me! and of course, coming from you, it's a compliment! (although, sometimes, I could also be the sister)


  • RoisinDubh
    September 21, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    This brought me a smile when I needed one. You captured the attitude of Autumn very well and, as its my favorite season I'm slightly biased in your favor. I love the last stanza "Autumn is a good looknig girl but she's unpopular." It reminds me of so many different things there would be a novel ehre if I explained them all.
    Over all this is a great poem and I really enjoyed reading it.
    Keep up the good work.

    . Rewarded 8


    • Windhover silver member
      September 23, 2007
      Edit | Reply

      Thank you Rosie

      Autumn gets too many nice things said about her.Really that doesn't change here, just my slightly slanted way of delivering a compliment. Thanks for reading and commenting. >W<


  • uLIED2me
    September 21, 2007
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    WOW!!

    I enjoyed the imagery in the poem.The way you have compared autumn to a girl is wonderful.what a bright spark of an idea!
    Every line in your poem makes perfect sense.The last line of the poem has given it a COLD punch and it is a great end
    My favorite lines -
    "Autumn is a good looking girl
    but she's unpopular"

    Enjoyed you poem

    . Rewarded 6


    • Windhover silver member
      September 21, 2007
      Edit | Reply

      Glad You Liked It

      Hope you're not lying 2 ME about that! Thanks for reading and commenting. >W<


      • uLIED2me
        September 21, 2007
        Edit | Reply

        Oh no!!

        Didn't think my made up name will bring 'bout such a controversy hee hee
        Of course I am NOT lying to you alright?


  • Kiddy
    September 21, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    Bird, It's lovely....

    Opening line of each stanza would demand a YES from any reader… It’s Kaleidoscopic… I love ‘Autumn season for so many reasons… every leaf would look like a flower, it’s been always enjoyable to see colorful leaves hiding our path, ‘chala sala chala sala’ music of aged leaves reminding our grandpas and grandmas who speak non-stop when they don’t have anything to do…this poem is an ostentatious parade of mosaic of all colors….
    Thanks for sharing this beautiful picturesque.
    Lols
    Kiddy

    . Rewarded 8


    • Windhover silver member
      September 21, 2007
      Edit | Reply

      You're an Autumn fan then?

      Hi Ms K. Thanks for reading and commenting so enthusiastically. I take it you like Autumn then! Glad you liked my poem as well. >W<


      • Kiddy
        September 21, 2007
        Edit | Reply

        Hi Bird...

        Yea...I was an Autumn fan then, but now a fan of 'Fall Girl..!

        lols
        Kiddy


  • Lad silver member
    September 20, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    Ha! Terrific take on the sloppy, brashy, boozy, nicotine-stained, loud-mouthed-with-'colorful-language', windbag Autumn, and she's the nice one of the two broads.
    No sweet rendering of Fall here, the usual poetic swooning, John. This one's got an irresistible drollery, just the kind of opposite look that makes an ok poem into a very good one.

    So, ok, I'll let you get away with trashing my favorite of the seasons - but I've a hunch that, beneath your chortle, you like her too. She is, after all, "a good looking girl..." with big moons, despite her too-much makeup over dried-up skin.

    Enjoyable, all the way to Winter.

    Lad

    . Rewarded 8


    • Windhover silver member
      September 23, 2007
      Edit | Reply

      Hey Lad

      Just realized I didn't thank you for this sharp assessment of my eulogy-with-a-slant here. Really I never 'trashed' the lady at all and my negatives all became backhanded compliments eventually, those being my favourite kind to give anyway. eg. As usual your sharp eye is boringly and predictably accurate and perceptive. Thanks as always! >W<

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