Thursday, October 09, 2025

Poetry Friday: October 10 by Wendell Berry


Here's a short, perfect (and perfectly-timed) autumn poem by Wendell Berry. Serendipitous. 
(Did you know Berry has a new novel out? My copy is winging its way to my house as I type. Thanks, Bookshop.org!

October 10
by Wendell Berry

Now constantly there is the sound,
quieter than rain,
of the leaves falling.

Under their loosening bright
gold, the sycamore limbs
....
(read the rest here.) 

~~~~~~~~~~

The Poetry Friday round-up is being hosted this week by 

(Photo thanks to Pixabay.)

22 comments:

Linda B said...

Berry knows how to touch us, doesn't he? "And the night grows". Exactly what my neighbor and I were talking about a few days ago. She has kids who want so much to be out... later! FYI - I love Bookshop.org -a special place on line, isn't it? Thanks, Karen!

Rose Cappelli said...

Thank you for this, Karen. I copied Berry's poem for my notebook and will be checking out his new book.

Karen Edmisten said...

Linda, yes, Berry gets me every time. :) My husband and I were just talking about nighttime’s slow growth the other day. Yes, LOVE Bookshop.org and I was happy to order from them during their “Anti-Prime Days” sale!

Karen Edmisten said...

It’s a keeper, Rose! Have you read his other Port William novels? His newest novel is set in that universe too.

Robyn Hood Black said...

Perfect to the day, Karen! What an amazing voice and a treasure. Thanks for sharing... so many acorns have been "raining" over here that it makes my dog jump when I walk him. ;0)

Karen Edmisten said...

Robyn, you've got me remembering our sweetie-pie-of-a-dog and how she would similarly jump. :) ❤️ Happy fall, friend!

elli said...

Karen, I Love Wendell Berry's poetry so! So very much! He is definitely in my Top 5 Poets. 🤗 I did not know he has a new novel out: I have confessed this before, but — I have never (yet!) been able to immerse in one of his novels! Wild, right!? I'll look this one up …

jama said...

Such a perfect poem. Exquisite!! Just as I was reading it, I heard two crows in the back yard. :)

Denise Krebs said...

I so love the image of the summer falling silent. Yes, here's to the perfect timing of this October 10 poem. Thank you so much for sharing it. I read aloud to my husband that Berry has a new novel coming, and he's ordering it right now. Huge fan!

mbhmaine said...

Wow, that's pretty much perfection, isn't it? I did not know this poem and thank you for sharing it. It's a new favorite. It has additional significance for me, because October 10th is the anniversary of my mother's death, an unfathomable 44 years ago.

Carol Varsalona said...

Karen, thanks for the poem that rings true of autumn. I never thought of the quiet sound of leaves. Berry's thoughts on that is something to ponder. This is another set of lines that made me pause.
now
that the life of summer falls
silent, and the nights grow

Patricia Franz said...

Gosh, I love the sound of a crow as 'landmark' for seasonal change. I'll sit with that today as what looks like winter is making its way to my mountains. Thank you, Karen!

Karen Edmisten said...

* elli, have you tried Hannah Coulter? It’s so beautiful. I think you’d love it!

* Jama, Serendipitous Crows — yay! :)

* Denise, huzzah for your husband jumping on that order! I can’t wait to read it.

Karen Edmisten said...

Oh, Molly, a significant date indeed. ❤️ 44 years ago. Oh, my goodness. What an enormous loss when you were so young. Hugs to you.

Karen Edmisten said...

* Carol, I love those lines too. The image of night growing is so subtle and spot on, something we’ve all felt.

* Patricia, that hollow echo of a crow’s call is so unique. Buckle up for winter, friend!

Mary Lee said...

Perfect timing! I love how he focuses on sound: how summer falls silent, the quiet of leaves falling, the stillness of early dark shattered by crow call. Lovely. And I can't wait to read his new book! Thanks for the heads-up!

Margaret Simon said...

The repetition of “now” is effective. Thanks for sharing this perfect poem for today. “As the night grows.”

Cathy Stenquist said...

Thanks for sharing that beautiful poem. I need to look up more of his work. The visual imagery is delightful. Leaves falling quieter than rain and "the life of summer falls silent, and the nights grow." Like a painter painting with words.

Linda Mitchell said...

Absolutely delicious...that sound, "quieter than rain." I love. that! Thank you.

Karen Edmisten said...

* Mary Lee, I love that focus, too. Enjoy the new book!

* Margaret, yes, Berry makes just the right choices.

* Cathy, a painter of words, for sure. His novels are mesmerizing to me.

* Linda, that’s one of my favorite lines/images too!

Michelle Kogan said...

Lovely fall inspired poem, visual and sound sensory, I like the leaves 🍂 quieter than falling rain, as I usually think of their crunching sound as you walk through them, thanks for sharing and taking us there!

Karen Edmisten said...

Michelle, yes, I like the thought of that quiet fall of leaves. I can hear the gentle swooshing sound. :)