Poetry

Darkness

Posted on by Khaya Ronkainen / 50 Comments

Yawn…
Clonk, clonk
Darkness gentle
Morning breeze brutal
Another working day
Swallows flee

for Poets United

A Morning in Late Autumn

Update: This poem features in my chapbook, Seasons Defined.

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Khaya Ronkainen
Khaya Ronkainen is a writer, poet and creative professional. Her blog focuses on all things poetry and creative nonfiction.

50 Comments

  1. Luv the progression of morning unfurling like a flower.
    Thanks for dropping by my blog today Khaya

    much love…

  2. The gentle darkness and the brutal breeze provide an interesting contrast in this wakefulness — it makes me want to go wrap myself in a blanket. Well penned!

  3. So good to read/see you again! You bring me to this moment, bumping into thing in the dark light, bumping into the day.

  4. Mornings when one is rising to go to work are definitely different from days off. I remember. That is a very beautiful photo.

  6. Short and sweet is your poem, even though your working day may not be!

  8. How I remember my working days, head down and stick to the job and then only notice the sun and the clouds in the sky on the trip home.

  9. Oh, I remember those mornings. Glad I’m retired. But you describe your morning so perfectly and bring me directly to your moment. Love the picture too.

  11. brutal breeze and swallows fleeing… an image of cold starkness!

  12. So lovely to see you again Khaya! “Morning breeze brutal”…If this is autumn what will happen in winter, I wonder. A beautiful poem. Love the photo.

  13. Ah, the clumsiness of hurried morning duties, indoors, and then to confront climatic chaos, outdoors – so much to take on so early in the day! I loved this and can relate!

  14. I love the way you begin the morning with sounds – that’s how my mornings often begin, especially when it’s dark – and the brutal morning breeze!

  16. Hello Khaya! I hope you’re doing alright, despite the impending darkness of the Finnish winter.

  17. I promised myself years ago that I would never live in a place where blue skies did not feature all year round. Yet I still complain. Thank you for reminding me about those cold brutal breeze dark mornings. Enjoyed your poem.

  18. Thank you, Gillena. How sweet it’d be for autumn mornings to unfurl like a flower! We’ve got a long way to go here till next spring. 🙂

  20. A blanket and woolen socks are always nearby. But alas! one must brave the cold morning in order to make a living. I appreciate you reading, HA. Thank you!

  24. True that. A working day feels long because, when one leaves home in the morning it’s dark. And when we return in the afternoon, it’s already dark. Hectic November days!

  26. Working life can be mundane, but the sun always brighten the days. The difficulty with late autumn here is that the round and yellow thing usually up in the sky is a rare spot!

  27. I’m so glad I managed to bring you directly to my moment. Because I’m seriously envious of the folks, who are on retirement already. 😀

  28. My calendar is probably outdated. Ah, wait! I guess it’s your bossy muse playing games with you!? But Happy December, my friend! 😀 Thanks for popping by.

  29. Yep, most birds migrate south earlier but some linger around longer. It’s always interesting to watch a flock of swallows flying past as I wait in the freezing and dark morning for the bus on my way to work.

  30. Hi Sumana! Thank you for this relevant and timely prompt. Winter is my favourite season here. Yes, temperatures will pair at sub-zero but the beauty that is Finnish winter is a much needed welcome after this late autumn darkness. In addition, a girl from the south can’t stop marvelling at a winter landscape with snow; it’s enchanting. 🙂

  33. British swallows are said to spend winter in South Africa. I don’t know where Finnish swallows go, but I always wish to join their flutter and follow the sun. Until, of course it starts to snow. 😀

  34. Hello Josh! Good to see you around. 🙂 I’m doing good, thanks. Finnish winter is most beautiful (with snow), it’s my favourite with all the outdoor activities as well.

    But late autumn, November especially, is the least favourite. There’s no sun, no snow, sometimes rainy and there’s nothing enticing (for me) outdoors; it’s like being in a limbo. But, but…indoors, of course there’s so much to enjoy!

  35. Then you are a Southern Hemisphere creature, and you have no reason to complain. 😀 Thanks Rall, I’m glad you enjoyed this poem!

  40. Words keep me company. I talk, cry, smile and laugh with my characters. This is best part of late autumn, it inspires creativity. Thanks Stacy…Big Hugs!

  41. A beautiful poem, Khaya! At times we want to flee with those swallows, then a glorious winter’s morning will dawn, breaking the darkness … then we stand stunned by nature’s beauty and yet again absorb its magic!

  42. Thank you, Annika. I can’t wait for that glorious winter’s morning (with snow) to dawn, already. I’m really looking forward to the magic of the winter season.

  50. Hi Celestine! I’m doing well, thanks. Enjoying a short Christmas break (from writing) with family. 🙂 Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones! <3

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