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Decay
What causes a relationship to fail?
Decay sets in when thoughtlessness persists,
when selfishness extends beyond the pale,
and chances to show love are blindly missed.
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Vacated houses crumbling with decay
once teemed with life and families with dreams.
Now in the wind, these spindly structures sway,
not willing to give up the ghost, it seems.
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But Nature’s life-renewing power leans
upon decay of plants. Like night and day,
these opposites, decay and growth, are means
that lead to all Earth’s glory on display.
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__Each year Spring plants and flowers grace the Earth,
__for God decreed that death results in birth.
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I Never Tire of October
Fall’s tapestry of red and gold,
as scheduled, always will unfold.
Still, I am dazzled and surprised
October holds me mesmerized.
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The color riot on display
of mums and pumpkins perched on hay
is Autumn’s message dramatized.
October holds me mesmerized.
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An extra blanket for the bed,
not t’s, but flannel shirts instead—
the need for these can be surmised.
October holds me mesmerized.
.
Cute costumed kids collect their treats.
Their night of fun, the month completes,
and once again I’ve realized
October holds me mesmerized.
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Janice Canerdy is a retired high-school English teacher from Potts Camp, Mississippi. Her poems have appeared in numerous publications: anthologies by Quill Books, Mississippi Poetry Society, the National Federation of State Poetry Societies, Poetry Soup; journals and magazines: Society of Classical Poets Journal (and online), The Hypertexts, Halcyon Days, Light, Westward Quarterly, Lyric, Parody, Bitterroot, Lighten Up Online, Saturday Evening Post, Penwood Review, Better Than Starbucks, Poetry Quarterly, and LIVE (by Gospel Publishing House). She has had one book published: Expressions of Faith (Christian Faith Publishing, 2016). She is the President of the Mississippi Poetry Society, Inc.
I love the simplicity with which you tackle the complexities of ‘Decay’, Janice and turn a somewhat depressing subject into one of joy and hope.
As for I Never Tire of October, the refrain made this a jolly poem and again the deceptive simplicity was a joy to read.
Thank you for your work.
Thank you so much, Paul!
Your precious poems on “Decay” and October holding you mesmerized were a blessing to read. “Death results in birth” is a beautiful phrase and I loved the repetitive phrase, “October leaves me mesmerized!” Autumn colors can be spectacular, and you reminded us of that.
Thank you, Roy. SO glad you liked the poems.
I, also, loved both of these, Janice. There is a lot of wisdom in “Decay”, and the last line, especially, expresses a profundity. And, I never tire of October, either. It has long been my favorite month, and here you have made it sound musical.
Cynthia, your kind words have left me with a smile!
I loved both of these poems but for me, “Decay” was amazing because of the turn at the end to nature’s wisdom.
Allegra, your kind words have made me smile!
“Decay” is a somber sonnet, Janice. The social decay you speak of in the octave is serious and apparently irreparable–then you consult the order of nature for a better outlook. The lack of resolution is realistic, but mature faith and hope shine even without overcoming the acknowledged ills. I like it. “I Never Tire of October” is likewise stationary, as indicated by the refrain, but happier in the attractions of the four aspects (again natural and social) you list in the four stanzas. Enjoyed both!
“I Never Tire of October” is a snappy little addition to the poetry about that month. I liked it a lot.
I love “Decay”, but if I had written it, the last line might have been something like:
for God decrees that death begets rebirth.
Janice, I love reading your poems, and I also love the fact that you are my friend and an incredibly gifted leader in the Mississippi Poetry Society, Inc. Congratulations on your placement with SCP and on being the 2024 MPS Poet of the Year!