.
The path he takes this early day
Is dressed in dew and straws of hay.
The morning mist obscures his view;
The barn, though near, seems far away.
The sleepy sun begins to rise,
And light prepares to climb the skies.
He sees the path much clearer now,
As life awakened fills his eyes.
He senses changes autumn brings,
A mix of scents from lovely things.
The air, perfumed by turning leaves,
Is fragrance loved by serfs and kings.
Above he hears migrating birds,
Their calls of joy, like soothing words.
They tell of lands where warmth awaits;
A transient home for flocks and herds.
The cows have stirred and move about,
And roosters crow as piglets rout.
A dog begins to run to him,
His faithful friend and eager scout.
So much to do while autumn stays,
Before the freeze of winter’s gaze.
And yet, for now, he walks the path,
And sings a psalm of morning praise.
.
.
Angel L. Villanueva is a religious man who resides in Massachusetts
Lovely, Angel, posted on another Angel’s
big day.
This seems to me a model of lyric poise. It’s impressive, in a way, that there are only 2 words with as many as 3 syllables; also that that the rhythmic flow is quite regular without being cloying; further, that enjambment is not an element. Thank you a fine poem with an economy of means.
I enjoyed this poem. Some lovely imagery, and a difficult rhyme scheme to pull off.
The Rubaiyat quatrain (AAxA) in tetrameter is just brisk enough to suggest the movement that goes on throughout: the man walking, animals and birds in motion, the sun rising.
A charming but unobtrusive narrative, proceeding by stanza from mist to light to a sense of change in the leaves, followed by birds, then animals, and finally an acknowledgment of autumn duties–purposefully put off to start the day and the season with the walker’s own contribution of beauty to the scene, and thus fulfilling his primary duty of prayer. How splendidly structured!
It has been quite a while, Angel, since I last saw you here, and I’m glad you’re back. But it’s rather strange that an autumn poem should appear at this time of year, though the rubaiyat you give us are welcome all year long. Nice job!
Angel, you set the scene well in the first stanza, and maintained the fine
autumnal imagery. I enjoyed reading your poem.