I savor each of the seasons, but this month and next, I’m savoring gold leaves and purple blooms. I enjoy hot tea all year long, but this month and next, I’m especially enjoying honey in my tea. I’m also savoring the lines learned years ago, “October gave a party, the leaves by hundreds came.” I’m grateful to my teachers, mostly nuns, who had me memorize many poems and taught me to love poetry, its pure pleasure.

I so enjoyed writing my poetry collection, Adobe Odes (The University of Arizona Pr...