The Denim Blues

An Autumn summons, shorts season

over for all but those few brazen-faced calves,

ruddy rebels as yet unwilling to surrender

the summer’s independence

 

to flannel leaves. The grief

for August, so quickly consumed,

turning now to October gripes

of November and December,

 

nature’s bleak opening act

to the heartless bite

of an existential existence

only half-endured.

 

Though the soles still keen

for the open spaces, tongs stretched

across freewheeling toes, heels

balking at the wooden sheaf,

 

pen of laced leather’s confinement --

I know there’s no reprieve

from the turning of the shrew’s screw …

 

how I loath these denim-blues, once

the badge of a youth’s reckless endeavors --

now the reminder of all my winter aches.

Ken e Bujold 

Reviews

[J]

Hahaha! "how I loath these denim-blues, once the badge of a youth’s reckless endeavors --now the reminder of all my winter aches." well said! Your prose so expressive of contempt for the coming heartburn of snows and the general displeasure of winter. And not an adherent of those "brazen-faced calves" . . . I'm from Duluth, MN, and adore winter. But must agree that those "aches" of winter remind me of what I would rather not acknowledge. Well done.

[Ken e Bujold]

Then you know winter like i do. Toronto,Ontario, where it is a very pleasant -2 at the moment. This little smile was penned the morning I was winging off to extend my short's season. Month and a bit in SE Asia. One of life's joys ... I married a Singaporan many many moons ago. Now I get free room and lodging :))

[J]

Haha! You crack me up! Good for you! Enjoy! But you get me wrong! My parents moved us to Arizona when I was but a toddler and grew up here. But alas, twas far too late, winter was already in me bones -- they left my bedroom window cracked open thru winter, mind you. I live in Northern AZ where I went to uni and where we get frigid temps, mounds of snow & I'm a happy gal! None of those brazen-faced calves for me!

[Arundass TP]

to flannel leaves. The grief

for August, so quickly consumed,

turning now to October gripes

of November and December,
These are beautiful lines according to me. Beautiful nature poem

[Kaylor Mason]

Winter has always been my favorite season of the year, but I do get what you mean about the winter aches. (I guess it's because of my lungs--I breathe better in crisp, cold air)

[emmajoygreen]

A Ken meander through time and its now, this year, a strange take your pick but do not make too many plans. You phrase as if you read words back to front and inside out,

' Though the soles still keen
for the open spaces, tongs stretched
across freewheeling toes, heels
balking at the wooden sheaf,
pen of laced leather’s confinement
I know there’s no reprieve
from the turning of the shrew’s screw …'

fine words, meaning to focus on

[Ken Simm.]

Beautiful, complex and very very visual. Extraordinary.

[Betty Hermelee]

Who can blame you for the harsh anticipation of winter. where our aches and pains seem to magnify... but aren't we lucky to have changing seasons or we would be bored to death ; mother climate change has been playing games with us lately....giving us summer in fall and so on.....
Very nice and interesting perspective...
Warmly, B

[Mike]

Great! Nice balance. The third stanza ties the first and second together (an existential existence only half endured.) The sixth stanza puts a seal on the entire thing. It makes me think of Starbuck questioning Ahab about his obsessions with the white whale. "He tasks me; he heaps me."

[Dave Brown]

I always feel that if we don't go through all the nasty we wouldn't be able to enjoy the beauty of spring

[Chris Shaw]

The changing of the seasons. We have been fortunate having a beautiful October with warm days. The man of the house has only just put away his summer shorts. Having said that we have had a few cold blasts at night, reminding us of what’s in store. I am not a winter person. I would rather hibernate till spring. You though, I know have a month of vacation in warner climes. I am rather envious. I enjoyed your work Ken,

Chris

[Perdition]

Aww Man..don't bring me down just yet. There are still leaves and memories left out there to make..bones too brittle for the rushing up hills I'll be doing soon enough and spills to tumble just because your eyes aren't what they used to be anymore. How many more memories Ken? A thousand..two million? We never know and that's what makes this poem the contemplative plate in front of that sole and toe that braves the sheath. Snow is coming soon enough and the world has suddenly burst into insanity. The objective morality or Hernetic philosophy of "Mentalism"..can't we make this world stop turning in freaking circles by now? Aww...well, a Poet's Poet as always Ken ...forgive me if I cut into the woods and words for just a season or ten more, who knows?.. maybe longer :) Always the always and enjoyed it~..thanks~

[Ken e Bujold]

I hear you bro, And to be fair, I have cheated. Left home, extending Autumn of Ontario by an entire month. otherwise known as the great skip to SE Asia. Temp in Taipei was 26 C (84 F) and tomorrow I hit Singapore where its a very pleasant (32 and rising). LIfe is good in paradise, no matter what Milton says. :)

[Perdition]

Well, he did Regain it as well ya know..lol. Enjoy it, Mr. Snowbird, and thanks for your contemplative waves~