Saturday, July 31, 2010

FOR AUGUST

I know for most in the Northern Hemisphere the word, August, is synonymous with sultry and hot.  But in the northern Rockies, August is the one month when we may need a.c. and is the only month I've not seen snow fall. It is the time when the fields are lush, the skies are blue and the dark cold of winter seems far away.  I wrote this poem long ago, but it still is true.


FOR AUGUST

Before we reach December
When the ground is heaped with snow,
Before the wind blows daily
And it’s ten degrees below,

I want to capture August
In the middle of a dawn;
Press it fast between two pages,
Now, before the charm is gone.

Like a giant cardboard backdrop
Stand the mountains in the east.
Cattle cast long-legged shadows

As they nibble at a feast.

On the wide and churning river
Deep waves sparkle ridge on ridge.
One can almost hear Vivaldi
As they roll beneath the bridge.

Fields of wheat, lime colored,
Sway in rhythm, hand in hand.
All the birds sing in the choir.
Summer breeze plays in the band.

A spider shakes the dew drops
From her tiny trampoline.
Meadows, trees and cattails
And the grass and leaves glow green.

When I’m thawing by a fire,
When my toes are frozen numb,
I’ll recall this August morning;
Taste the air and feel the sun.

Spider web photo borrowed from Public Domain Images


And that makes Blog Post number 300!

10 comments:

Kilauea Poetry said...

Well I took my time- went over again just to chew on the lines- I enjoyed this -very beautiful imagery and photos! The watery reflections and fields! Now I understand August- it brought new depth- amazing! Well I just got back from a trip to the other side of the island. One area-though its known to get dry, has been in a major drought! We were in a hurry so I didn't get to take many pictures- but there are fields- dry as a bone. It may be worth it to post for comparison..have to see? A fine post Leenie-

TALON said...

What a gorgeous ode to August, Leenie! And your images are the perfect backdrop to the poem.

"I want to capture August
In the middle of a dawn;
Press it fast between two pages,
Now, before the charm is gone." -- that is beautiful (and how I feel about certain June days)

You must really appreciate the warmth.

frayedattheedge said...

Well done on such a good post for your 300th! Tha last few mornings, there has been a distinct chill in the air when I've gone out for my walk - we are definitely in late summer here!

Linda Sue said...

short growing season!Beautiful poem! Little wonder that you wear skis nearly year round. September and October here are usually extensions of August- USUALLY- the weather is so unpredictable it is difficult to count on.If you had a dollar for every post- you could go out for lunch!

Elizabeth said...

Yes, we will remember this heat
'while thawing by the fire'

your poem is so evocative and thoughtful and image-ful. (if that' a word)

Much too hot now and it will be much too cold soon.
You do live in an exotic part of the world.

Anonymous said...

congrats on 300. what a stunning first image... and i love the web too. but the poem... your words are just lovely.

Jill said...

Lovely words Leenie, obviously written from the heart.

DayPhoto said...

Oh how I love this. May I copy it and keep it in my files at home. What a beautiful poem!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Carla said...

I was sure I'd commented. Maybe blogger ate it?
Anyway, beautiful pictures and sentiments regarding August. I've never been too fond of it, but I live in the South.
Looking forward to the next 300 posts.

Sarah said...

Beautiful poem Leenie. I love the photos that go with it too. August in your part of the world looks beautiful!