an on-line poetry magazine
for the 21st century

Winter 2023-2024

Sharon Anderson

THE PASSING

Time takes its toll, as always
The season fades each dawning
and dawn comes later every day
the sun seeming reluctant to rise
yet eager to sink below the horizon
earlier and earlier each evening.

No way to still the passing

The garden seems morose
wilting and wavering, in fact, dyeing
blossoms dropping, temperatures dropping
my attitude slumping in sympathy
The leaves shudder in anticipation
then fall in a swirling death dance
I own no spell, no magic wand
to slow or halt the inevitable

No way to still the passing

And so, I accept, reluctantly
the loss of summer’s beauty
the onset of autumn’s chill
acknowledge with regret
the unavoidable truth
that nature reigns supreme

No way to still the passing

SHARON ANDERSON has been published in many international and local anthologies, has been nominated for a Pushcart prize, and has six publications of her own poetry. She serves on the advisory boards of the Nassau County Poet Laureate Society and hosts the PPA poetry workshop at Farmingdale Library.