Show's over, folks. And didn't October do

A bang-up job? Crisp breezes, full-throated cries

Of migrating geese, low-floating coral moon.

Nothing left but fool's gold in the trees.

Did I love it enough, the full-throttle foliage,

While it lasted? Was I dazzled? The bees. . .

~ Excerpt from November BY MAGGIE DIETZ

I did. I did love October enough. I was dazzled. I am glad, in this poem by Maggie Dietz, to be asked the question. I loved today, this November morning in the cold with the dogs by the river. They do not care what temperature the river is. A cold drink. For Suzi, a full body sink into swim. In the meadow, under the bright sky, the milkweed blows and frays and falls apart in the sunshine. I am tired. My body is tired, despite a good night’s sleep. I have been busy. And yet, I want my time outdoors, and I don’t give in. This chill on my cheeks. I have a fire to return to. And I work on some poems. Two satisfy me, one does not. I put them away for now, instead of sending them out. Time will tell on these. I’ve gone, for now, as far as I can go on them. One thing that makes me very happy: the newly married ones come for dinner; they bring my husband’s mother for her birthday. It’s just the five of us, intimate and delightful. A mother wants face-to-face proof, eyes on it. To see for herself, how happy her daughter is. How fresh faced and cheerful, helpful and attentive, how grown up and grounded she is in her skin, in her life, making her home. I miss her in my house, I do. I miss having more time with her. And I am so happy she is in her life, immersed and smiling. They remind me, of how, early on, how happy and in love with the newness and joy Frank and I were together, in our own home for the first time, every day, every night. I get up from the table, and go to Frank’s seat, drape my arms across his shoulders, remembering that sweet beginning, and how, in this quieter house without kids all the time, sometimes it feels like that again.