Finally in the deep south the temperatures are cooling off. Everyone is putting out their decorated pumpkins and synthetic spider webs. Halloween is around the corner. Time to write some fall poetry. I introduced fall poetry by posting Amy Ludwig Vanderwater’s poem “Preserving Fall” on our kidblog site. Her poem is about pressing leaves in waxed paper. I remember doing this as a child and with my own kids, but my students have never done this. We are going on a field trip today to Natchez, Mississippi where there may be more colorful leaves to collect. I promised we could press leaves next week.
In the meantime, I shared Amy’s book Forest Has a Song. We picked out favorites to read aloud. From JoAnn Early Macken’s book Write a Poem Step by Step, I asked the writers to use a cluster method for gathering ideas when pre-writing. I like how clustering can bring forth words you may not find otherwise.
One of my clusters turned to my backyard satsuma tree, full of ripening fruit.
Satsuma Time
Look outside the kitchen window;
First sign of fall,
peeks of yellow,
sparkle like diamonds
ripening in the sun.
Heavy hanging on the tree,
Abundance gathered one by one.
Satsuma sweet,
Autumn citrus treat.–Margaret Simon
See more Poetry Friday at Live your poem with Irene Latham.
Reflections on the Teche 
“Autumn citrus treat” has such a welcoming sound… and unexpected! Mmm, now I want a satsuma… thank you for sharing, Margaret!
Sounds like you have a delicious time ahead of you!
Juicy poem, Margaret and Forest has a Song is perfect for Autumn.
I love this book…and the last two lines of this delicious poem.
After reading your poem, I think I’d like to enjoy Autumn’s sweet abundance too! Can I be in your class… pleeeeeeese?
I hope you had a grand time in Natchez! In north MS we are eager for the satsumas!!
I’ve never had a satsuma, & until you wrote about them another time, I didn’t even know about them, Margaret. I looked them up & they sound delicious. Maybe I can find one at one of our markets? Your poem is just right, last lines yummy! I’m glad you are using Forest Has A Song. It’s a book for every season & now to follow along through the forest for autumn.
I’ve never heard of satsumas, but after treading this, I want one!
You’re finally cooling off, and we’ve had our first snow! Just a reminder of how big and varied our country is! I want to taste a satsuma!!!
Yum! Enjoyed your poem!
Your poem is lovely, Margaret. Your process made me think of Marianne Moore’s definition of a working artist: “Curiosity, observation, and a great deal of joy in the thing.” Thank you for sharing your “autumn citrus treat.”
Nice post, Margaret–I was unmoved by diamonds sparkling once again until you made them ripen in the sun. Nice surprise! Here in the DC Metro area satsumas are not so hard to find. Maybe I should set up a mail order business!
Hi Margaret, loved reading your poem. It sounds so polished, the imagery of fall makes me long for four seasons in our tropical country. Beautiful poem, Margaret. 🙂