Autumn by the Sea by Dearestfolk Poetry
Autumn by the Sea
Dearestfolk Poetry
Dearestfolk Poetry (2025)
979-8993220109
Reviewed by Jordan Waterwash for Reader Views (10/2025)
https://readerviews.com/reviews/autumn-by-the-sea-poetry/
5/5
Autumn evokes a sense of longing for countless people. Autumn by the Sea by Dearestfolk Poetry (a.k.a. Ashley Archibald) taps into this feeling throughout all seven of its sections. Each “chapter” of micropoems tackles the eerie, yet strangely serene, sensation of spending your time by the ocean during the fall. The sea, often associated with the warmth of summer, transforms into something far more mythical as the weather grows cold and mysterious. Autumn by the Sea explores this phenomenon through themes of feeling lost, finding yourself, and understanding how two apparent opposites can create magic.
All of the seven sections—perhaps like the seven seas?—flow together well; each are strung together through motifs of falling leaves, crashing waves, and sandy shores. Of the seven, I personally enjoyed “My Coastal Ghost Town” the most because of its gloomy atmosphere and poignant themes. The language throughout the book felt grounded and real; oftentimes, poetry tries to rely on overly complicated phrases to convey meaning, but Autumn by the Sea thrives in its simplicity. Micropoetry itself is defined by simple language and impressionistic strokes of feeling, and this poetry collection follows that format well. Each poem leaves the reader with a sense of longing perfect for the fall season.
Additionally, the collection’s clear understanding of what makes the dichotomy of a cold ocean so interesting rubs off on the reader through imagery. The final section (“The Amberlight Glows Across Tomorrow”) contained particularly pertinent examples of this imagery. One poem states the following: “the sea turns autumn into folklore.” This feels like the perfect encapsulation of this poetry collection. Its simplicity explains the discordant nature of the sea in autumn, and brings it to light for the reader to examine. The other poems in this collection work in a similar fashion.
For those who find themselves struck by wanderlust and longing, Autumn by the Sea by Dearestfolk Poetry (Ashley Archibald) will become a fast favorite. Lovers of fall, the in-betweens of life, and the sea will find themselves well represented in this collection of micropoetry. A great read for when you want to cozy up in a lighthouse with the wind rattling the windows!
