I have been fairly busy the past few weeks and behind on my writing. But I did scratch out this poem as I watched September pass by, mostly from our back deck. I hope you enjoy the poem and the photos (but for some reason I should have taken more photos of the various flowers)..
Buffalo Mountain just before sunrise
September from My Back Deck
Queen Anne rolls up her lace early
as the chicory and black-eyed susans fade,
replaced by golden rods and the limby yellow wingstem
growing along the ditch banks with an occasional bunch of purple ironweed.
The leaves on the walnuts and hickories remain green
but much paler than at midsummer
Occasionally I jump, as if being shot, when a hickory nut
pings off the barn’s metal roof.
Only a handful of birds now sing at dawn,
and the sound of insects at night are softer than a month ago.
The lightning bugs disappeared and the last of the yellow finches’ head south
but wooly bear caterpillars show up, some say, forecasting a bad winter.
The bears are less active than in the spring,
and it’s easier to see groundhogs now the hay has been cut.
The deer move in large herds, as the fawns lose their spots
and the bucks grow antlers.
After dark, which comes earlier as the month progresses,
I watch Cygnus the swan fly higher
followed by his fellow aviator, Pegasus, the flying horse,
and if I stay up late, I’ll see the fall constellations rise.
The days remain warm, but some mornings feel chilly,
the rain feels colder, and the morning fog denser than just a month ago.
A whiff of smoke rises from a burning field or maybe a brush pile,
but it’ll soon to be replaced by woodsmoke.
Fog in the valley at Sunrise
A beautiful poem that perfectly captures our environs these days. I enjoyed hearing you read it. Thanks for sharing it in worship.
Thank you. We live in a beautiful spot of creation!
I enjoyed both the photographs and the poetry.
All the best Jan
Thank you, Jan.
The wonder of the seasonal shift! Beautifully done.
While I’d like summer to stay, I know I wouldn’t appreciate it as much if fall didn’t barge in to give it some delightful contrast.
But in these parts, fall is so pretty! Sadly, we were dry the end of the summer, which has dried out some of the leaves, especially the poplar.
The pictures and the poetry are lovely. All of God’s blessings indeed.
Thanks, Bob.
You know these photos speak to me! Lovely. All of them.
Morning walks are a blessing and this time of the year the falling leaves makes it more so of a blessing.
That catches all of God’s blessings.
You’re line may end up in this Sunday’s sermon 🙂
I’d be honored.
Wow, you have a beautiful view!
The purchase decision was based on the view (but I’m needing to cut some more poplars as those trees grow way too fast)