Happy Thanksgiving!

 gratitude: the state of being grateful: THANKFULNESS 

Nighttime is Never Late

The sky grew dark

tonight

right on time.

Nighttime is never 

late.

The earth 

never stops turning.

And the sun

always rises.

In a way 

that makes 

everything easier

because

there are so many things

in life

you can

never count on.

(C) Jan Darrow 2025 - photo: Pixabay

Autumn

No one believes

there is a ghost in the woods.

I think now about the drive out of town.

The gold leaves drifting into shadows.

The shifting trees.

You brought me here

into the long dry grass.

You promised

a memory -

when we were young

and you were .. everything.

From Winter Poems: Building Sound

(C) Jan Darrow - Photo Pixabay

Impact

My flash fiction piece titled Impact was published today by Freedom Fiction Journal! Click the link below to visit my story and this wonderful journal.

https://www.freedomfiction.com/

Happy Halloween! 👻

Dear Readers,

Thank you so, so much for supporting my books this year - especially Autumn Poetry: A Collection for the Season. Hopefully it helped get you into an autumn state of mind.

Every year October goes by so fast, yet luckily, I still find time to enjoy the changing colors and autumn light. I never tire of it. I hope you have time to enjoy it too!

Jan 🧡

                       Chinese lanterns - Pixabay

Another Man’s Poison

I just have to share this perfect for a dark October night movie! It’s titled, Another Man’s Poison and is a British crime drama from 1951. It stars Bette Davis, Gary Merrill, and Emlyn Williams. Davis plays a writer, Janet, who kills her husband. And yes, it involves poison. Of course I recommend! 

Full Movie:

https://youtu.be/A1PespZ-Hgw?si=6SJq89aHjr7B38Bi  

Dear Readers,

We are stepping into the haunting season! Two of my poems - Midnight, and Dry Grass - were published by Black Poppy Review yesterday. I am so honored to be in the company of so many great poets! Click the link below to read my poems and access this dark, gorgeous journal.

https://blackpoppyreview.blogspot.com/2025/10/midnight-dry-grass-by-jan-darrow.html

Autumn Poetry: A Collection for the Season - Recommended by Bookstr

My book Autumn Poetry: A Collection for the Season was one of ten books recommended (poetry & drama category) by Mika Ellison, October 1, 2025 at Bookstr - Gorgeous, Seasonal Poetry for a Wonderful Fall Transition. Click the link below to read about all of her poetry recommendations for autumn. I am honored that she recommended my book. Just incredibly honored!

https://bookstr.com/list/gorgeous-seasonal-poetry-for-a-wonderful-fall-transition/

Raven

for E.A. Poe

Read by: Alexandra Pettit

From: Autumn Poetry: A Collection for the Season        

(by Jan Darrow)

Music: Echos in the Storm - Dark Academia Instruments - Haunting Melodies for Winter’s Embrace

Photo: Pixabay

Autumn Witch

Oh she is a trouble

With her arrival unannounced

Always early never late, perhaps an August Date.

She cools the summer engines

And grinds them to a halt,

Steadfast held tight, then starts her work in sight.

Her dry boned finger first

Waves the woods to fire

Tawny yellows, Crimson reds, a siren song of what lies ahead.

And summer attempts to persuade her

Driving hard precipitation

But autumn has gone and striped her breath, a kiss of death.

In skies the Great Geese gather

In V synchronicities

While on their backs Hummers hitch, hidden from the Autumn Witch.

Hawkweed hurry

Show your face

For Fireweed and Queen Anne's Lace and Pearly Everlasting.

 

We must invade her might

We cry out - stop!

With Mullein sticks ablaze we will make again summer days!

But she is well seasoned

In control of her time

And with adieu the locals tell, she will cast her autumn spell.

(C) Paul James. 2009