November Cometh

THE ABOVE PHOTO WAS TAKEN a few years ago and shows Lake Michigan in early November. It was blustery, with rolling seas joined by dark clouds hinting at what was to come.

A great month lies ahead as we transition from the last of bright yellow and burgundy leaves to tans and browns scattered on the ground.

Soon our first snowfall will cover the land.

I borrowed the following poem from Thomas Hood, who offers a rather sobering point of view of the month.

November

By Thomas Hood

No sun — no moon!

No morn — no noon —

No dawn — no dusk — no proper time of day. 

No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,

No comfortable feel in any member —

No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,

No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds! —November!

He must have hung out with Emily Dickinson.

I love November as I do every month in northern Michigan. I think a long walk would have lifted his spirits just a bit.

I prefer this short rhyming parody by Denise Rodgers, which brings some comedic balance to my November essay.

Turkey

By Denise Rodgers

Turkey, Turkey, full and fat.

November's near. You'll soon go splat!

They'll roast you up and slice you thin.

Oh, what a mess you're surely in.

Mixed with stuffing and some sauce.

It's plain to see the cook is boss.

But what would truly give you joy...

... would be a turkey made of soy!

And then this final poem offers some middle ground and solid introspection to the month.

Boketto

By David Holper

Looking around, you'll sometimes notice

a red-haired woman sitting by herself

gazing out a window

or a sad-faced fellow sitting on the edge of a cliff 

staring out to sea. 

We need these seemingly empty moments

to consider our place,

our path in the wider world—before

our hurrying and scurrying

is no more.

I am thankful for the many moods November brings.

Some introspection is called to order, but not too much.

***

I look forward to the Lions winning on Thanksgiving joined by a plate full of turkey with all the fixings.

Enjoy a wonderful November. It has it all if you let it.