OCTOBER - RICHARD BERENGARTEN

Distinguished Cambridge poet author and translator Richard Berengarten recently received an international accolade of appreciation from fellow poets and friends to mark his 80th birthday. Here is one of his loveliest autumn poems

Early morning, October,

Smederevo, by the Danube

 This morning sits in glory on a throne

Of golden trees. This morning in its prime

Is autumn throned upon itself, and grown

So beautiful, so utterly sublime,

It cannot fail to deepen an intense

Impression of pure timelessness in time,

Seated – no, stamped and sealed – on every sense

By poplar, willow, elm, ash, plane and lime.

Borne by this breathing quietness everywhere,

This morning is a letter bearing hope,

These trees, this river, being its envelope.

So relish now this tender autumn air

Opening now: scape, space, span, inner scope    

And the entire world peaceful, just, and fair.

Richard Berengarten (2017)