SWWIM sustains and celebrates women poets by connecting creatives across generations and by curating a living archive of contemporary poetry, while solidifying Miami as a nexus for the literary arts.

October Is Burning

It's #tbt! Enjoy this great one from SWWIM Every Day's archives!


After Biltmore Backyard by Robb Shaffer


In autumn I hunger for seasons,
the small fires of October
burning fields to the root,
skies suffused with smoke,
reducing summer to ash, to
leaf mold and yellow sheaves.
A ribbon of migrating geese
sounds their convivial trumpets.
Naked oaks, late-season
bathers caught in a chill,
spread their silver branches,
catching a last bit of sun.
Covens of pines summon forth
winter; the smallest Japanese
maples burst into flame.


Robbi Nester lives and writes in Southern California. She has published four books of poetry and edited three anthologies, as well as hosting and curating two monthly poetry reading series on Zoom. Her website may be found at www.robbinester.net.

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