“For seasons the walled meadow
south of the house built of its stone
grows up in shepherd’s purse and thistles
the weeds share April as a secret
finches disguised as summer earth
click the drying seeds
mice run over rags of parchment in August
the hare keeps looking up remembering
a hidden joy fills the songs of the cicadas
two days’ rain wakes the green in the pastures
crows agree and hawks shriek with naked voices
on all sides the dark oak woods leap up and shine
the long stony meadow is plowed at last and lies
all day bare
I consider life after life as treasures
oh it is the autumn light
that brings everything back in one hand
the light again of beginnings
the amber appearing as amber”
PostScript: I’ve spent so much of summer in days away and have finally returned in readiness to dig in to blogging again, starting with a resurrection of garden bloggers museday and a W.S. Merwin poem ‘September Plowing’
Hurray, you are here!
There used to be lots of teasels round where I live. Seeing your photo makes me realise there aren’t as many as there used to be. I’ll have to do a scout around. (It may be down to our old friends the verge cutters!)
Lucy Corrander read my post..BEFORE THE POWER GAVE OUT
thank-you for the welcome back Lucy – while you hunt teasels I’ll be searching out another tree post
welcome back Laura, I hope you had a wonderful time away from the summer city and enjoyed some rural rests, lovely poem and photos, Frances
Island Threads read my post..EoMV, best and worst of August,
thank you Frances – a real change from the city and the earth as its been an aquatic summer with the rain, glamping and much time spent on houseboat too
Loved your photos, yes, where did our summer go…did we really have any summer? I am hoping for lots of crisp autumn days with ample photo opportunities, the light in the autumn is so special.
Helene read my post..Discovering my garden again
Off with the spade and on with the camera, Helene
So pleased to see that you have returned, and are now ready to dig in again. A lovely first post after your break.
Rosemary read my post..A Cotswold Village
I liked this poem so much (even though we spell it ploughing!) it will be good to turn over some earth again Rosemary -
was an enchanting poem!
Elephant’s Eye read my post..Caracal at Driehoek for the Cape Leopard Trust
Missed you Laura and am so happy to see your wonderful post…your photos bring out the words beautifully.
Donna@Gardens Eye View read my post..Seasonal Celebrations-Autumn Awaits
how kind Donna – always think of you when I post a museday poem
Good to see you back blogging again. Hope you’ve had a great summer, despite the weather. Looking forward to more posts. Thanks for the poem, one I’ve never come across before.
wellywoman read my post..What Price A Plot?
am out of the blogging habit WW but presume its like riding a bike – must start pedalling!
A perfect poem for this time of year, Laura. Happy to read you’ll back to blogging regularly! I love the autumn-like glow of the tansy blossoms.
Curbstone Valley Farm read my post..The Kitchen Garden: A Plethora of Purple
Tansy at its best I think when just turning from yellow to amber Clare
Fantastic muse day post! I always forget when that meme occurs. I think I need to print out a list! Wonderful poem, images, and sentiment!
PlantPostings read my post..Garden lessons learned: summer 2012
not sure there is this meme anymore Beth but I like a poem to start the month
Lovely words, beautiful pictures, what more could you want — Your back —. Can you believe 3rd September and after a rotten Summer it has been 24c here in Aberdeen today.
Alistair read my post..Lavendula Angustifolia Munstead
making up for lost time Alistair and thank you for the welcome back
To think we were preparing for a drought a few months ago, but thankfully the green in the pastures is wide awake.
b-a-g read my post..Gardenias (02 SEP 2012)
Wet summers might just be the answer to gardening
Your poem selection and your garden photos bring into an autumn mood. Autumn has not arrived yet, but there are signs that it has dipped its toe into these last few weeks of summer. The early morning is cool and the rains are finally coming. Lovely photos!
The Sage Butterfly read my post..My Garden Notebook – September 2012
the trees are holding their own but there is a nip in the air now
A lovely poem – but I am refusing to address the arrival of Autumn before we have a Summer. Somehow I think I am doomed to failure
easygardener read my post..End of the Month View – August 2012
I normally refuse to acknowledge Autumn til Michaelmas but with barely a summer, I’ve psychologically moved on!
Good to have you back on the garden blogging Laura, great poem for this time of year. I really must plant some teasel, particularly as I am going to be digging up the pampass grasses that the birds love so much…
Janet/Plantaliscious read my post..Heather
I too am pleased to see you back. It is easy to get out of the blogging habit but I hope you get right back in!