I came across “The Consent” when I was exploring Howard Nemerov’s life and work for some other posts. It seems appropriate for about now.
The Consent
Late in November, on a single nightNot even near to freezing, the ginkgo trees
That stand along the walk drop all their leaves
In one consent, and neither to rain nor to wind
But as though to time alone: the golden and green
Leaves litter the lawn today, that yesterday
Had spread aloft their fluttering fans of light.
What signal from the stars? What senses took it in?
What in those wooden motives so decided
To strike their leaves, to down their leaves,
Rebellion or surrender? and if this
Can happen thus, what race shall be exempt?
What use to learn the lessons taught by time,
If a star at any time may tell us: Now.
– HOWARD NEMEROV
Howard Nemerov, “The Consent” from The Collected Poems of Howard Nemerov.
love this poem!
That poem seems to rewrite itself into your own body, it is so lovely. And the little leaf with its
‘hands’ up! What is there to be said except I found it really touching!
Gwen.
That is lovely. Thank you for sharing.
Yes, most appropriate as I spend many hours every year trying to clear the falling leaves from our pool – they mock me as they continue to fall even as I scoop them from the top of the water!
Yes – that cartoon captures a fall garden clean-up rather nicely. One is always mocked by reality ….
Yes, I like this. It’s similar in a way to the groundhogs starting their hibernation. They pretty much all disappear at once. Though we did have one hanger on this year. She stayed above ground until Oct 31st and it was as if she finally noticed the calendar. Nature never ceases to fascinate.
Yes. The natural world has its seasons and signs. Most of us are always too busy to actually pay attention.
Love this post. I’ve been admiring colored carpets of recently fallen leaves (one area bright red, another area bright yellow) in my neighborhood. I particularly like this part of the poem: “What signal from the stars? What senses took it in? What in those wooden motives so decided/To strike their leaves, to down their leaves…” It is a wonderful reminder that trees and plants are much more animate than many of us acknowledge…
I found those lines interesting too. His way of identifying the forces of nature is striking. Thanks for the observation.