Photo: Victoria Slotto
of a pristine october morn
blue glass sky, cloud-
less, diamond dew-studs,
shimmering hoar frost
leaves blush at branches bare
bold crickets cry frantically
singing last-chance choruses
a flagging rose scatters petals
before winter’s advent
and i watch life slip
from between my fingers
Written for Kim’s Quadrille prompt at dVerse Poets’ Pub–asking for a poem of exactly 44 words, using the word cloud.
Victoria C. Slotto, Author 
I felt the life slipping through the fingers, it feel like that sometimes…
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beautiful work of art.
yes, seasons are the times in our lives. we must spend them carefully.
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oy – that one is very moving victoria – the last line made me swallow a bit – there’s so much beauty in fall – yet also the decaying and dying – carpe diem!
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October Skies of Northern
Florida.. respite from
all stuff
humidity..
including clouds..
but sure.. i Love
Equinox
September
sunset colors
too..
clouds
paint and
brush as canvas..:)
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before winter’s advent
and i watch life slip
from between my fingers
There is the sense of loss even regret when watching slowly of winter’s approach. Very true Victoria!
Hank
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I too love your “blue glass sky” and “winter’s advent”, Victoria. The last couple of lines feels a bit ominous but I understand the meaning.
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Such beautiful descriptions and word choices here, Victoria. I especially love: “bold crickets cry frantically
singing last-chance choruses”
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“a flagging rose scatters petals before winter’s advent” leaves me with the impression of true joy and contentment even as that life ends and enriches the soil for the next blooming.
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So beautifully written as the first frost arrives with the clear skies.
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oh wooow. this is breathtakingly described piece!
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Beautiful imagery, indeed. I love the presence of time in this piece. 🙂
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Life does slip through one’s fingers. I liked the photo with the different colored leaves. I wonder if a branch had died on the tree.
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Everywhere life slips away only to be renewed in the next cycle of growth.
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A gardener perhaps? Beautiful narration. The roses are only sleeping 😉
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It’s autumn, and life slips through the fingers… but life is being lived fully in this poem.
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Opening lines are beautiful images of autumn Victoria ~ Enjoy the pristine morning before winter’s advent ~
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You aren’t letting life slip between your fingers at all – you are noticing the moment so clearly, loving life by doing that. Beautiful.
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Whistles! ❤️ Victoria this is absolutely exquisite 😀 love the progression of autumn and the image of “a flagging rose scatters petals before winter’s advent ❤️ Sigh.. beautifully poignant.
Lots of love,
Sanaa
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The beauty of fall… yet the last lines a reminder. Love the progression from the beauty to that reminder… like a leaf, crumbled between fingers.
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Wonderful imagery! I especially like “last-chance choruses” and “winter’s advent.”
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[…] prompt will be up at 12:00 PT, but I learned that the word for today is “cloud” from Victoria who has access to the prompt earlier than I do. But I wrote the first draft of this Quadrille […]
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This morning as I left the house I stopped to enjoy my lantana, which are still blooming as if fall was not here and winter not far behind. I was thankful that this crisp October morning for the remnants of summer. I did not gaze at my flagging roses, which I deadheaded of wet, moldy buds just yesterday.
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Oh beautiful and very Much linked to the October of our lives as the leaves begin to slip.
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The flagging red rose pricked an image of fading with age…
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Oh, don’t watch life slip away, seize the day!
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Oh, what a wonderful way to begin my morning! You had me with “blue glass sky.” And I love the words “winter’s advent” — yes, all signs are bringing winter…and like advent, we are in a season that knows its approach. Happy Monday my friend!
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