Falling into Autumn: Artistic Poems to Inspire Creative Fall Activities
As the summer’s heat gives way to the crisp, cool embrace of autumn, there’s a creative magic in the air. Nature’s canvas comes alive with vibrant colors, and the earth is adorned in shades of red, gold, and orange. It’s the perfect time to indulge in artistic endeavors that capture the essence of the season. To inspire your fall activities, from painting pumpkins to crafting cozy masterpieces, we’ve compiled a collection of poems that celebrate the beauty and creativity of this wondrous time of year.
“Autumn Fires” by Robert Louis Stevenson
In “Autumn Fires,” Stevenson paints a heartwarming picture of domestic creativity during the fall season. His poem captures the essence of homey activities like painting pumpkins, gathering around the fire, and celebrating the season’s simple pleasures.
“In the other gardens
And all up the vale,
From the autumn bonfires
See the smoke trail!”
“Fall Squashes” by Brendan Galvin
Brendan Galvin inspires the inner chef in all of us with the poem “Fall Squashes.” Galvin takes readers on a gorgeous garden journey, from surveying the vines to savoring the warm and nutty flavors of fall squashes.
“green and gold, and patty pans
like the minor gears of some natural
machine—which I brush with garlic oil
and grill briefly, and eat for
themselves alone…”
“The Pumpkin” by John Greenleaf Whittier
A fall classic, “The Pumpkin” by John Greenleaf Whittier paints a vivid picture of a pumpkin harvest. This poem is sure to ignite your creativity and inspire a visit to the pumpkin patch, where you can select the perfect canvas for your artistic endeavors.
“Oh, fruit loved of boyhood! the old days recalling,
When wood-grapes were purpling and brown nuts were falling!
When wild, ugly faces we carved in its skin,
Glaring out through the dark with a candle within!”
“Jack O’ Lantern” by Robert B. Shaw
A delightful mix of dark imagery and cheerful meter, “Jack O’ Lantern” by Robert B. Shaw will have you leaping off of the couch to carve a pumpkin in no time. With an appreciation for the lifelike sparkle behind a Jack O’ Lantern’s eyes, in this poem, Shaw paints a picture that is just as creepy as it is heartwarming.
“Candle, spoon and carving knife:
nearing the vigil of the dead,
let’s impose a little life
upon a ripening, faceless head.
“In My Little Room” by Koon Woon
If getting cozy with your cat is considered a fall activity, this poem is its perfect pair. In “In My Little Room,” the narrator refers to their cat as “the emperor” of the room. With smooth and lazy movements, the cat observes the narrator studying, typing, and drinking hot chocolate. This little world is simple, but its more than enough to warm the heart and soul.
“He is delighted with the hot chocolate
that I make on a hot plate
and, after making a rough estimate of the roaches
on the wall, he sleeps on my cot
as any sovereign would.”
This curated collection of poems beautifully captures the essence of fall and offers inspiration for a wide range of fall activities— from painting pumpkins to crafting nature-inspired art. So, let the season’s poetry kindle your imagination, and let your artistic spirit flourish in the company of the vibrant, ever-changing, landscape of autumn. Fall is the perfect season to harness the beauty of nature and turn it into your own masterpiece, be it on canvas, paper, or pumpkins, as you celebrate the creative wonders of this magical time of year.
