Quite early the other morning, I stepped out of bed and into a shaft of light pouring down the hall in a way that very much made me think of the long and slender petals of a flower. Which of course reminded me that it was August 31, the very end of what feels like summer though three weeks of summer remain. How I love early morning at this time of year...
1. ...because it is very quiet
2. and to break the peace of that quiet would be very much like shattering glass. Those of us who are awake are careful not to.
3. The soft light of morning comes to the earth at a gentler angle than ever it did in summer
4. and casts long and beautiful shadows of trees across the hills
5. so that the ridge lines circumscribe the great fires atop the hills
6. and you have to look up to know dawn has come.
7. The cool air breaths mist across the pond and the swamp,
8. and these low-flying clouds wrap themselves around the geese who slumber--
9. like everyone else--that bit longer in the soft down of dreams.
10. The yellow and red of the wildflowers puncture the mist with their color
11. and point the way down the road that has vanished, too.
12. Eventually, the sun will rise and offer the memory of summer heat
13. on the backs of the necks of those who dare play some more at the lunch hour and, of course, on the petals of the flowers.
Thursday Thirteen
1. ...because it is very quiet
2. and to break the peace of that quiet would be very much like shattering glass. Those of us who are awake are careful not to.
3. The soft light of morning comes to the earth at a gentler angle than ever it did in summer
4. and casts long and beautiful shadows of trees across the hills
5. so that the ridge lines circumscribe the great fires atop the hills
6. and you have to look up to know dawn has come.
7. The cool air breaths mist across the pond and the swamp,
8. and these low-flying clouds wrap themselves around the geese who slumber--
9. like everyone else--that bit longer in the soft down of dreams.
10. The yellow and red of the wildflowers puncture the mist with their color
11. and point the way down the road that has vanished, too.
12. Eventually, the sun will rise and offer the memory of summer heat
13. on the backs of the necks of those who dare play some more at the lunch hour and, of course, on the petals of the flowers.
40 Comments
I always find the end of summer so bittersweet. It ends long before I'm ready to let it go.
ReplyDeleteYou describe it well. To me, the very early morning is the best time of the day - everything so new, fresh. Perfect.
ReplyDeleteThis is like reading something Robert Frost would write....are you sure you're not a published author?
ReplyDeleteMy T-13 is posted. Last one over to visit me is a rotten egg! :o)
...and offer the memory of heat..
ReplyDeleteYou write so beautifully. A joy to read.
7, 8 and 9 are my favorite. (I don't have geese nearby, but I can imagine, can't I?) Lovely, evocative TT! (Thanks for stopping by mine.)
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful piece. Not quite a poem and not quite an essay - really lovely.
ReplyDeleteI love mornings in the garden this time of year - it's cool, easy to get around, nice! :)
beautiful poem, you certainly have talent...
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely words as always. Yes, summer is coming to an end and I can tell the morning sun light is changing. I'm looking forward to fall. Great TT!
ReplyDeleteA lovely coloration!
ReplyDeleteI feel similiar about this time of year and posted a poem about it recently. As the sun lowers in the sky, I feel sad at the loss of summer but heartened by the "low slant of sunflower light." It's like were being cast in perpetual sunset.
ReplyDeleteYour list was beautiful. Spoken like a poet. Happy TT:)
ReplyDeleteI'm waiting for the fog to return with fall. Hopefully we'll get rain too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this beautiful photograph … and lovely sensual reminders for us all.
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings,
What beautiful thoughts. Thanks for sharing. I feel like I was there with you.
ReplyDeleteSandy,
ReplyDeleteyou really know how to capture feelings and thoughts with your words and pictures. It is a rare gift, it reminds of some of your books.
The mist, I love the mist!
ReplyDeleteMakes me want to get up earlier.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful - the picture and the words!
ReplyDeleteVery significant post, Sandy.
ReplyDeleteThe end of summer makes me a little bit sad. But perhaps I always have a streak of melancholy.
Mornings are perfect this time of year. But then, I think almost eveythings perfect this time of year. I miss summer when it leaves us...but just a tad. I grieve when Autumn gives way to Winter.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully don,e Sandy. I wish I'd read this earlier when I still had a brain cell or teo that were functioning. I would like to have the oomph to respond with more detail. Another time...
Take care of you!
happy tt..on the petals of flowers...awesome!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.apooobooks.com/2008/09/04/thursday-thirteen-6head-class-school-supplies/
Truly abeautiful flower!!
ReplyDelete"...because it is very quiet">>> good for you here in manila as early as 5:00am the streets are already busy.
ReplyDeletesmooth and awakening to my sensors
ReplyDeleteIt is a lovely time of year Sandy! Happy TT :)
ReplyDeleteI like the slumbering geese. :) I too like this time of year's lighting. :) So soft and gentle. Love your shot!
ReplyDeleteI wished I had mornings like that because I love my mornings too. But here when I get up I hear already the rain, it's cold my 5 cats are hungry and meow, and one of them has certainly thrown up. See, that's after my getting up. But then it's peaceful and quiet.
ReplyDeleteSandy, I love the early morning times.
ReplyDeleteYou have written it so beautifully here.
such a descrptive endearing TT you have this week my dear.
ReplyDeleteHave a great Thursday and if you wish pop by my TT at The Cafe at the END of the Universe & Mama Bear Reads.
I love the way this progresses, and the part about stepping into light is an incredible image! So is the mist-wrapped geese..and... Oh I could go on and list all 13 again. Thanks for a wonderful transitional view of the seasons, and for reminding me to pay attention to these precious moments in-between!
ReplyDeleteOh Sandy, I wish I had your eye for noticing things and then being able to write about it! Thank you. Wonderful TT! :)
ReplyDeleteI love early morning. Cars have not yet begun to make noise, dogs are still sleeping, and birds are just beginning to explore the yard again.. The air feels cool and damp and it's nice to sit with the back door open.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my site and happy TT!
I'm not a morning person, but that was beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely, peaceful image! It reminds me of my idea of doing a series of photographs at dawn. (I already have a bunch from sunset.)
ReplyDeleteThat was very calming to read. Nice after a visit to the dentist.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful descriptions. The end of summer is always bittersweet.
ReplyDeleteWow~this was so beautifully written. I could see all the images you created with your words. Thanks for helping me enjoy my first TT!
ReplyDeleteI love early mornings, year round :)
ReplyDeleteYou paint the perfect picture. I love early mornings as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my 40th birthday TT!
You captured the way I feel perfectly! I've been noticing the angle of the sun too over the past week. How it makes different shadows through the windows.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being here.