In the Shadows of Autumn

Far, far from the withered leaves that decked the shadowy autumn twilight -

Nameless buds fading into the dew-drenched grass in the stillness of the night,

I sought once more the paddy fields that rose and fell before my eyes,

The streams that rippled across the mind, amidst their feeble voiceless cries.

Those were the days when the sun-kissed shores smiled upon the dreaming new-born,

The days when the song of freedom echoed, in accolades of red, across the nation's horizon,

The nights when glared the lolling flames, leaping over the silent meadows, green,

And teary-eyed, they fled from home  to these hostile lands unseen,

Dragging along their blood-washed past, doomed to perish in the fiery outrage -

A tremor in the morning song, weeping over the ruins of the forsaken village,

While a million stories jostled for space in the wilderness-the refugee camps,

Up gazed a million pairs of eyes at the smiling, blind star-lamps.

Down descended a curtain of mist over a world in perpetual war,

As the autumn breeze, in twilight clad, left Winter's door ajar.

A young mother sighed in the soothing melodies of a long-forgotten lullaby,

Her newborn's whimpers softened - she said, "Come morning, it'll die."

Who knows when, in stealthy steps, up crept the morning sun,

Over corpses piled high on wailing roads, blood seeping through the golden morn?

Decades hence, today, as the autumn air rings out in the laughing festival-bells,

Teary-eyed return the drowned through the wrath of a million gales.

On flows the wave, in bright hues of gaiety, far below our elegant high-rise,

Echoing in its restless heart , once more, their feeble, voiceless cries -

The wails of those who lurk in the shadows of these dazzling lights;

The goddess steps down from her throne, sauntering away into the night.

On the nameless graves along the endless path, she sheds her repentant tears,

For the souls that withered into the morning white of the newborn's early years.

Yet, beyond the holocaust, the paddy fields still rise and fall,

The nightingale sings across the dale - our green fields still call.

On the decaying walls of the crumbling mansions, linger many an unheeded sigh, 

Flowing down the lane, across the darkening years, blending in with the winter sky.

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

You have created a variety of differing images. From the tranquil and beautiful, to the war torn and ugly. There is much to contemplate in your lines and in the lives of people born into this world not knowing whether they will endure kindness or torture. One thing we can be sure of, time stops for no one, all things pass. An a
accomplished write.

Chris

[Esther]

Thanks a lot!

[Agyani]

Esther
This was a lovely poem! You spouted so many strong emotions in a couple of minutes. In here is depth, beauty, irony, melancholy, hope, and so much more! I usually highlight a particular line/lines I liked the best in a poem or a story, but doing so for this poem is meaningless. I'd end up copy-pasting the entire thing!
Really looking forward to your next. :D

[Esther]

Thanks a lot!

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

Life. A duality. Beauty and tragedy. Time. A river, a healer. Man. Insignificant. Perishable.

Beautifully profound. Leaves a lasting impression.

[Esther]

Thank you!

[barleygirl]

Whoa! What a dramatic storyline, pumped up with a ton of powerful imagery! I haven't read anything like this at the café and I always love originality. The stunning juxtaposition between the lovely opening scenes and then the ugly place this poem goes only for a few lines, & then back to the happy place now marred by a touch of guilt, but not very convincing really. This feels like a scorching commentary dressed up in flowing lyrical phrases, another killer juxtaposition. Last but not least, I do quite a bit of descriptive nature writing yet I was in awe of how you used personification so liberally & it made your early scenes come alive as compared to static description. Did you read request this? If so, I'm glad you did (((HUGS))) Fondly Margie

[Esther]

Thank you!

[Kate]

This truly was a beautiful poem. It was so vivid, and capturing! Thank you for the amazing read!

[Esther]

Thank you so much!

[Elias Kovats]

This painted an intricate scene in my head. It started soft and sweet, with thoughts of green fields, cool wind blowing through the air, birds singing, and a feeling of serenity. Then came a wave of nostalgia as it poured over the memory of those long past, through their struggles and hardships finding new homes, through death and violence finding despair and yet still ending in serenity. It was both peaceful and assaulting to the mind all at once, but not in an unpleasant way. It was beautifully written and very descriptive! I love it!

[Esther]

Thank you!

[Coyote Poetry]

Beautiful description of life and Autumn. I love Autumn. A more colorful world for us to see. Thank you Esther for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Esther]

Thanks a lot!

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome Esther. I enjoyed this poem.