An acrostic
A pples of many hues, some having given up, lost their grip, fallen to the ground.
U nder layers of leaves sculpted by the wind into a sort of burial mound.
T rees turning into transient autumnal beacons backlit by the setting sun.
U p in the denuding branches birds' nests and candyfloss mistletoe have been spun.
M ists that linger long into the day, clear then return in crepuscular gloom.
N ature starts its passage into hibernation like it's going back to the womb.
9/3/2026
Wowzers. I am going to type this, print it out and keep it on my desk. I have had many reviews but this one is, to borrow your exoression, super duper extra fabulous. Thank you for everything you so kindly say in this comment. I am truly blown away with it. Yeah autumn is my favourite season too and is such a natural inspiration to poets. Also, as a former French teacher, I have always loved their word for twilight. I mean I really like twilight as a word but crepuscule is even lovelier. Cheers Rachelle. xoxo
9/3/2026
Ah!! You are a fellow educator. I should have guessed. No wonder we like each other so much! xo
9/3/2026
Yeah I'll second that emotion. xo
9/3/2026
The Words That Got to Me
I would actually have to just re-copy the entire poem because I love it ALL, but I made myself choose "just one" phrase that especially stood out: denuding branches birds' nests and candyfloss mistletoe *Super-duper extra-fabulous WOW, WOW, WOWWWW on this one. Your creative brain is unbelievable!! I consider myself a creative person, but I'd NEVER have come up with this! SO, so excellent!!!
WHOA!!! I really wish I were the WOW Factor Poetry judge this week, because this seems like the runaway winner! Thank you for making me smarter today: I had to look up the meaning of the word "crepuscular." On first glance, I hypothesized it had something to do with crepe-making...but, little genius that I am, I quickly dismissed that as absurd and got out the dictionary. Usually, I just hate acrostics because they strike me as so contrived. BUT in the hands of a masterful poet like yourself, they flow, the way they're supposed to, and make for LUMINOUS visual images. I totally love this poem. (Thanks to you, I now love Autumn more than ever! And it's always been my favorite season.) Also, I REALLY like that it rhymes! xoxox