November wonder

by Mary Wescott Riser


Where two closed gates meet
at the end
of the road
beyond the Cedar Grove Baptist Church,
all is the color of Virginia November:
iron clay, oak leaves,
early dusk, gold rings.

The moon is a cradle of light,
rocking in the late afternoon sky.

So close beside the car window,
a cardinal grabs a branch and bounces,
red feather edges vibrant,
snapping up red berries,
from that scrubby bush.

How many times have we been here before
and why is it always new?


* * * * *

Mary Wescott Riser worked in Virginia independent schools for 30 years, most recently as Head of School at James River Day School, a K-8 day co-ed day school in Lynchburg, Virginia, where she served as Head for ten years. Mary received her B.A. in English and Philosophy from Georgetown University and her M.F.A. in Poetry from the University of Oregon. She writes the education blog “What’s Best For the Children?” www.maryriser.org. Mary and her husband, George, live in Covesville, Virginia and have two adult children.