Some may think it strange —
This is my favorite time
I sit quietly
Watching leaves waft their way down
Or swirling as if unsure
Where to fall. It’s fall —
Leaves falling, falling, falling
Left behind ’til spring
Or raked into piles and hauled
To the compost where they rot
“It’s so cold today!”
People say, pulling on coats
Wild geese preen feathers
Preparing for fall; they fly
In formation; I stay home
Truly my favorite time of year.
W3 prompt for today:
- Compose a series of three tanka;
- Following are three “turn lines” or “pivots” (third lines) for each of three tanka, and you must construct the rest:
- Turn / Pivot for tanka #1: “I sit quietly”
- Turn / Pivot for tanka #2: “Left behind till spring”
- Turn / Pivot for tanka #3: “Wild geese preen feathers”
- These tanka are to be autumn/winter-themed;
- You may write each of your tanka in a single unbroken line of thirty-one syllables, or you may use the five-line 5/7/5/7/7 approach.
- Following are three “turn lines” or “pivots” (third lines) for each of three tanka, and you must construct the rest:

So beautifully written Sally
Sally, it’s my favorite time of year too! I always find autumn to be so peaceful and beautiful… And I love staying home too! ❤
~David
Beautiful photos beautiful words, I love Autumn too. 🍁🍂🍁🤣🍂🍂🤣
Very relatable. I’m a homebody as well. Lovely writing Sally. 🙏💙
Lovely Sally 💞
I like the way this circles through the season. (K)
Today I sort out the winter clothes and make a start to the change over from summer. Your poem is in my mind as I contemplate that task!!
Oh my goodness! I’m taking that as a huge compliment. Happy sorting!
Hi, Sally!
Just wanna let you know that this week’s W3, hosted by the lovely Jennifer Russo, is now live:
Enjoy ❤
Much love,
David
I find this poem cozy, especially those last 2 lines. Love it ❤️
Fabulous poem. You express this time of year so beautifully 🧡 🍂
Reading through this again, the last line stands out for me “In formation; I stay home”
While I know you were writing about the geese, I think in winter that is our formation sometimes, to stay home.😄
Exactly
I’m in the ‘stay home’ camp…and fall is my favorite time of year as well. Lovely, Sally! 💞💞💞