“October Ends” by Marsha Howland
For Maureen, 1983-2014
The morning rain has ended;
the afternoon mist has finally
lifted. Late-day sun shines
soft and bronze through
the yellow and orange leaves
at the edge of the woods.
It envelops me, then
passes on through the
French doors, resting on
the wall with the Wyeth
print. It has reached
the end of its journey, this
light that has traveled
a hundred million miles
through space, the woods,
the damp air, the open porch and
elegant doors, content to end
its life on the soft, white
walls of my quiet home.
The gift lies in the
shining.
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Marsha Howland Artist Statement:
In recent years my poems have won second place and an honorable mention in
national contests. Years ago as a senior at Wellesley College, I was awarded the
college’s Academy of American Poets Prize. While at Wellesley, I had the privilege of
studying with Frank Bidart and David Ferry. I returned to writing poetry after a
career in writing, editing, publishing and communications in a variety of settings. I
am a long-time member of a writing group in central Connecticut and the co-author
of Professional Writing: A Guide to Effective Communication for Educators and Other
Professionals.
