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Pumpkin Spice

The scent of Autumn lingers in the air
With hints of ginger, cinnamon, and clove;
At 42nd Street and Herald Square,
On 8th Street, Bleecker, Christopher, and Grove—
Each crowded sidewalk, every crosswalk where
New Yorkers sip their pumpkin latte dreams.

The years run back to homemade pumpkin pie
That warms my spirit as the days grow cold;
And somewhere in some long-forgotten sky
I see your face in tones of burnished gold—
But men grow old, and memories fade and die
And life’s not half so wondrous as it seems

When love was young and knew no greater bliss
Than tasting pumpkin spices in your kiss.

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Michael Pendragon is a New York-based poet, writer, and independent filmmaker. His poetry and fiction have appeared in approximately 200 small press publications, and he has three poetry collections available at Amazon.com. From 1996 to 2005, he published a pair of literary journals: “Penny Dreadful” and “Songs of Innocence & Experience.” He currently publishes “A Year of Sundays,” featuring the poetry of the members of his Facebook Group, “The Official AAPC (alt.arts.poetry.comments) Poetry Group” at https://www.facebook.com/groups/184972343500393

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13 Responses

  1. Jeremiah Johnson

    I like the simple mix of sweet and bittersweet in this poem – a classic love sonnet!

    In line 12 – would “seems” be better “seemed”? Or am I missing something?

    Reply
    • Joseph S. Salemi

      I think he wants to have a perfect rhyme with “dreams” in line 6.

      Reply
    • Michael Pendragon

      Thanks, Jeremiah.

      As Joseph S. Salemi noted, it’s intended to keep the rhyme with “dreams.”

      Reply
  3. Margaret Coats

    A new-fashioned sonnet in a creative form that passes from a contemporary taste in a present place to a remembered one elsewhere–and more. Delicious reflections, Michael.

    Reply
    • Michael Pendragon

      Thanks so much, Margaret.

      I run a Facebook poetry group that favors rhymed poetry. We publish a monthly ezine, and an annual “year’s best” paperback anthology. I loved your poem, and if you or any other members would be kind enough to drop by our group and post some of your poetry, we’d be most grateful.

      We’re at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/184972343500393

      Reply
  4. Paul A. Freeman

    A poem laced with nostalgia and a cracking last couplet.

    Great stuff, Michael.

    Reply
  6. Shamik Banerjee

    Ah! Melodious poetry. Perfect rhymes, fluidity, and a pinch of nostalgia. I truly loved it, Michael. Would love to read more of yours.

    Reply
  7. Cynthia Erlandson

    This is beautiful, Michael! Thank you. I love “I see your face in tones of burnished gold.”

    Reply

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