October is forever emerald
it has a poetic ring -but why conjure dull browns
under overcast skies, or rejoice in the primal 
passing glories of decay
the Yew stands in for heaven
there's a beryllium stone half-buried
securely verdant in a velvet box
these years make wearing hard to bear
early on it was already almost Autumn
August just a passing fancy
till late September sealed us up in sanctity
and even with that fatal disengagement
an ultimatum unforseen, still October is
enduringly green, as the emerald
on my hand, unseen

28 thoughts on “Forever emerald”

1. There is an enchantment in the combination of pix and words. In my eternal simplicity, I am fascinated by this post.

   1. enchanted and fascinated is what the writer wants to hear most – something to do with the beauty of the word – understanding is another dimension

2. “The yew stands in for heaven.” How I love that!

   1. it struck me out of the blue!

3. There is a wistful sparkle to this poignant poem, Laura. I love the use of colour and the Yew standing in for heaven.

   1. I love your seeing a ‘wistful sparkle’ – many thanks Kim

4. Such beautiful imagery, and yet there’s a ghost of melancholy around it at, for me at least, especially around the idea of rings only the subject knows about. It made me think of a widow, once happily married in October, missing the days when love and the world were still green.

   1. you are astute Kestril- my engagement ring is an emerald – we married one September – my husband died last October – the world is still green

5. Oh this is incredibly wistful and filled with memorable imagery, Laura! I too love “the Yew stands in for heaven.”💜

   1. was inspired by emerald and evergreen as here we wait for Spring to bring revival

6. This is so filled with emotion… I love how you find the green even when late in October… the emerald ring with that background seems so melancholic (and I read your answer to Kestril’s comment)

   1. tinges of sadness for sure but not as far gone as melancholia – emerald green is too reviving for that.Green is always there in nature – we just have to look to the evergreens or under the snow in your case!

7. I think there must be a story behind this poem really, and now as I read the comments I see that there is. What a stunning way to put your thoughts and emotions together; and now I really understand why October is green!

   1. Thank you for understanding Mary

8. I felt the sadness at the end. How sweetly you express your loss. Beautiful!

   1. thank you Myrna

9. I love the yew standing in heaven!

   1. and stands in for heaven on earth too with its evergreen eternity

10. We all have our own way to deal with things, some, like you, do it in style.

    1. lovely thing to say Steve – thank you

11. You wrote this beautifully, Laura. I like the mystery, which does not conceal the sorrow. (Though you have explained the back story, we encounter the poem first.)

    1. many thanks Rosemary – I wanted to keep it half-buried – grief is not so red raw now but mixed with some healing green – and besides the emerald is precious in many ways to me

12. Love that opening line and all that it suggests…

    1. an optimistic retrospect and a different take on how I always used to see October – thank you!

13. Yes, it is forever green… in all that implies.

    1. because ‘life goes on’ perhaps.

       1. https://youtu.be/YgGvd1UPZ88 One of my favorite Peter Sellers moments. Your statement put this in mind. …not always certain what goes on in my mind… if anything

          1. “As long as the roots are not severed, all is well and all be well.” 😉

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