{"sf1_id":1106335,"sf2_id":"pnGXA5j1","title":"That Time Before Winter","author":"DTail","words":227,"posted_at":"2016-12-14T20:10:00.000Z","tags":["Poetry","autumn","fall","leaves","seasonal"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1106335-that-time-before-winter","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/pnGXA5j1","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/1f/c4/1fc42ad9-2abc-4ff2-b80b-6a30e3201300","description":"#1 of Poetry\n\nHello there! This is my first submission to SoFurry. I heard that this site was more literature oriented, so I figured I'd give posting my poetry here a shot. You will soon discover that the genre of my work leans primarily towards children's literature. I've always been a fan of nursery rhymes: their clean, classical formats; mesmerizing rhythms and lighthearted subject matters. Pair that up with a profound love for the natural world, and the result is what I'll be posting here!\nI thought I'd start off strong, as this poem is one I'm especially happy with. It's written in the style of \"The Night Before Christmas.\" That's another literary quirk you'll find is common with me: I enjoy challenging myself by emulating well-known literary templates; in this case, only the rhythms, mind you. It's like a puzzle, conjuring up a completely different poem that matches the flow of another one. I also tend to pay homage to famous works, like writing a sequel/prequel to a common nursery rhyme and the like.\nAnyhoo, I've rambled enough. I do hope you enjoy this slice of Autumn~Cover Art is copyrighted to the wonderful JazzyCat, an artist who has inspired quite a few of my works.","content":"It's that time before Winter and all through the yard  \nrun pathways of petals all beautifully charred.  \nAn assortment of heartwarming hues can be seen:  \ndeep reds and bright yellows and shades in between.  \nHow my innocent heart beats with hummingbird pleasure  \nat the sight of these wonderful bundles of treasure!  \nSo I say to myself while my heart is a thumping,  \n\"No time shall be wasted, these leaves are for jumping!\"  \nTo the largest collection of colors I race,  \nwith laughter aplenty, the wind in my face  \nand the sun at my back, pushing me with its rays,  \nas I spring into Fall without looking both ways.  \nI land soft in the pile that the season provides,  \nas if leaping in laundry just recently dried,  \nand upon my resurfacing what should I see  \nbut the base of what seems like a beanstalk to me.  \nI look up at the plant and think Jack would be proud  \nto descend such a towering tree from the clouds.  \nThough it's lacking its leaves, looking lonely and bare,  \nI just can't help but smile as I harmlessly stare  \nat what once was full green, so I shout out \"hooray,\"  \ngiving thanks to the trees on this cool autumn day.  \nTo you children at play, be your yards big or small,  \nHappy Leaf Leaping, friends, and to all a good Fall!  \n  \n  \n\n"}