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Seasonal Verse

 

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I loved this poem when it popped up on Instagram the other day. There are so many footsteps I'd love to hear again, even the early-morning clomps of my mom's Dr. Scholl's sandals as I tried to sleep late way back when. Or the squeaks of our sneakers as my friends and I played basketball in the YWCA gym in my hometown. The soft, pink-padded galloping of my old cats chasing each other in a tiny apartment. November and, to a lesser extent, October are wistful months, and Crapsey's poem taps into that.

The Poetry Friday roundup for November 29th is at the lovely Tanita S. Davis's blog Fiction, Instead of Lies.

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  1. 🍂 tanita Avatar
    🍂 tanita

    Ooh, those Dr. Scholl’s!! My mom still loves those.
    I never focused on the footsteps in this poem before, but rereading and thinking of silenced steps gives it a deeper poignancy. Thanks for sharing this.

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  2. Susan Thomsen Avatar
    Susan Thomsen

    Tanita, it’s a good one and so succinct. I am so glad to know that someone still has some Dr. Scholl’s!

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  3. Jone MacCulloch Avatar
    Jone MacCulloch

    Thank you for introducing me to this poem.

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  4. Susan Thomsen Avatar
    Susan Thomsen

    You are welcome, Jone! Yay for the Poetry Foundation and Instagram.

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  5. Laura Purdie Salas Avatar
    Laura Purdie Salas

    This is one of my favorite poems. It feels like I might have written it on some make-believe, extraordinarily talented day :>D Thanks for this, Susan!

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  6. Susan Thomsen Avatar
    Susan Thomsen

    Aw, nice, Laura! This one really spoke to me when I read it.

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  7. Irene Latham Avatar
    Irene Latham

    I am in love with “frost crisp’d” every time I read this poem. Thank you!

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  8. Mary Lee Avatar
    Mary Lee

    Oh, how I love this poem…and your trip down the memory lane of footsteps.

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  9. Susan Thomsen Avatar
    Susan Thomsen

    Irene, thanks for stopping by! I like this one so much, too.
    Mary Lee, thank you! Yes, the footsteps on memory lane. Perfect way of putting it.

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  10. Linda Baie Avatar
    Linda Baie

    Like others, it’s a favorite poem of mine, and I also love that you’ve connected it to those whose steps are missing, Susan.

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  11. Carol Varsalona Avatar
    Carol Varsalona

    Susan, I found frost on my car late last night after a long ride to Long Island and back. Instead of ghosts stepping on my driveway I felt the passing of my dear friend. Thanks for the beautiful poem that reminds me how fall provides another level of cushioning as it passes.
    My post is not available due to the funeral of our friend passing in the night. Perhaps, I will have time today to write.

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  12. Susan Thomsen Avatar
    Susan Thomsen

    Linda, thanks so much for reading. Instagram delivers!
    Carol, I’m so sorry about the passing of your friend. I do find November to be a wistful season and beautiful at the same time.

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  13. Michelle Kogan Avatar
    Michelle Kogan

    Love the visual Crapsey paints for us, almost send shivers, thanks Susan!

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  14. Susan T. Avatar
    Susan T.

    You are welcome! Yes, great visual.

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