Fourth Place: Fairview Autumn by Jim Philips

Cumulus gives way to cirrus.

White pelicans with black underwing

circle a final approach with 10 foot

wingspans for a freshwater landing.

An autumn respite from great plains blizzards

they cast a schoolmaster’s stern eye.  

Do not bother us – we’ll be gone when the

azaleas signal no more frost.

Susan’s Comments

Local landscape and distinctly Floridian imagery gives this poem its authentic sense of place and detail.  

Jim’s Bio

Jim Philips graduated from the University of Florida and has lived in the metro Orlando area since 1971. He recently retired from a career in radio and currently resides in Winter Park with his wife, Catherine. His inspiration for the poem came from rowing his boat most early mornings around Orlando’s Lake Fairview.