Inspiration
While in workshop, Reuben had a great many methods in which to stir inspiration. For this particular poem, he simply said use these words, "November Cotton Flower" and see what you come up with. Incidentally, November Cotton Flower is a wonderful poem by D.C. native Jean Toomer.
Interestingly enough, while mostly everyone in workshop ended up writing about the actual cotton crop, I however was inspired differently. What I saw was this image of a young woman whose hair was swept up in a loose bun with leaves tangled in it, something a cotton flower might resemble just before harvest. As a result of this image, I was instantly drawn into remembering one of my favorite Greek myths: the myth of the Abduction of Persephone, which incidentally is one of my favorite stories inspired by the Autumn season.