'Tis the Season

October 3, 2014 – ‘Tis the Season

I was feeling inspired by the new season to write another poem.  This time it’s an interactive poem.  You can add your own lines.  (If I were still teaching, this would become an ongoing writing exercise for my students.)  Please share your ideas.  As you'll see from the poem, the season has also inspired me to get back into the kitchen, hence the photo below. 

These slices of delicata squash will be brushed with a mixture of olive oil and a little pomegranate molasses before being roasted in the oven (400 or 425 about 20 minutes, or until tender).  Don't peel them!

‘Tis the season 

to mourn the shrinking hours of daylight

to glimpse stars in the morning sky

to shiver when retrieving the newspaper

to dodge dive-bombing acorns

to loop a favorite scarf around my neck

to fire up the oven for oatmeal raisin cookies

to consider baking a pie

to roast golden rings of delicata squash with olive oil & pomegranate molasses

to savor memories of flavorful tomatoes and juicy peaches

to say farewell to vendors at the farmers’ market

to go for a drive in the Shenandoah Valley

to pluck apples from tree branches

to pause for a late afternoon cup of herbal tea

to seek out museums and movies

to catch a hint of wood-smoke on the breeze

to splurge on scented candles

to top a plate of arugula with pumpkin ravioli

to research warm weather destinations

to linger over a mug of coffee and a good book

to search out new recipes for hearty soups and stews

to crack open fistfuls of walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds

to fill baskets with cinnamon-scented pinecones

to sip a rich, robust Cabernet Sauvignon

to purchase Halloween candy (and hide it from Elliott)

to plan a Thanksgiving menu

to stockpile wood for the fireplace

to put away the sandals and shop for new boots

to dig out sweaters and blankets

to anticipate the first snow

to count the days until winter break

to turn contemplative

to start growing a poem

to …