I think it is hard to pinpoint a poem that fits November exactly because describing life on the edges of both fall and winter with any accuracy is often beyond definition. That is to say, sometimes November is too warm for winter and sometimes it drives headlong into the snow before we are ready. It is a strange month.
Regardless, Katharine Pyle does a good job handling the subject material and really captures the essence of the best awkward month. From what I gathered, the poem “November” first appeared in St. Nicholas Magazine in 1890, so while it is a bit of a throwback, I think it is interesting how the right words can create timeless descriptions.
“November” by Katharine Pyle
Now the cold wind rattles
In the icy sedge,
And the sparrows ruffle
In the leafless hedge.
Past the wood and meadow,
On the frozen pool
All the boys go skating,
When they come from school.
The river too was frozen;
I saw it far away,
And wished that I could trace it.
Skating night and day,
Up to where the ice-bergs,
On the polar sea,
Float, like glittering castles,
Waiting there for me.
