"It will not always be like this,
The air windless, a few last
Leaves adding their decoration
To the trees’ shoulders, braiding the cuffs
Of the boughs with gold; a bird preening
In the lawn’s mirror. Having looked up
From the day’s chores, pause a minute.
Let the mind take its photograph
Of the bright scene, something to wear
Against the heart in the long cold."
~ R.S. Thomas , 1913 - 2000
Slightly late in the day but continuing in the tradition established by Carolyn from 'Sweet Home and Garden Chicago' here is my November muse. There is a feel in the air today that the "long cold" is not so off. Yet earlier in the week it was hard to believe that we had entered November. It was sunny and warm enough to put washing out to dry, whilst at the allotment I picked the last courgettes and a bowlful of most delicious autumn fruiting 'Polka' raspberries.
It is dry for Bonfire Night celebrations - I will not be putting my head out of the door as I am an absolute wimp when it comes to loud noises. Luckily though we can catch glimpses of the local public display. I hope that all the children enjoy thmeselves, that both folk and creatures stay safe and that the crew on duty at our local fire station just down the road are not busy tonight.
P.S. It is not yet completely dark here so the photo was taken last year. I was brave enough to stand in the porch for a few minutes.
P.P.S. The 'long cold' may well have arrived - woke up to the first frost of the year the morning after the fireworks.
Hi Anna,
ReplyDeleteOoooh, I love fireworks - mainly because I love sparkly pretty things.
The noise, the gunpowder; it's all too exciting.
Feeling a little miffed here as we were going to a large display held in Sheffield - 30000 ppl etc.
I've been phoning my mum and no answer! So looks like I won't be going then. it's got to the point now where all plans of going out for food and then to display just aren't going tp happen. However it does mean I get to take photos of them instead as I don't take my camera with me to the display.
What a wonderful photo, very appropriate for the poem. It's not dry here, we've had rain for twenty four hours now, though we had no plans to go out so I don't mind.
ReplyDeleteI think your quote perfectly captures the sentiment of this transitional time of year. It is exactly how I feel as the light of autumn dims and the flocks of migratory birds have left us. The quiet is coming. Love how the bonfires rail against the night.
ReplyDeleteps. We have raspberries too! (Frozen, but there!) :)
Our Chocolat who is usually out and about at night, is celebrating Guy Fawkes by curling up with grandma Aragon, BOTH on my foot stool. Bit crowded, but I know he is safe.
ReplyDeleteGreat pic and muse, Anna :-D
ReplyDeleteOh yes... the cold is definitely not far away but it has been so nice up our way this last week too. However, tomorrow our outside tap water supply will be switched off. Changes are ahead... got to 4.5 deg C in car today. Have a good day tomorrow and I hope the noise of fireworks isn't too painful for you.
What am amazing photo! I love the stillness of it despite the movement it captures.
ReplyDeleteLove the photo. We still haven't had a frost but it is perfectly clear here this evening and feels like to night might be the night. I need to remember to go and close the coldframes.
ReplyDeleteFabulous photograph. I love bonfire night, or at least, I do when I am well enough to get out and go to a display, I'm afraid I rather like all the bangs and whistles, but most of all I love writing with a sparkler and dodging sparks from an enormous bonfire. Hope you survive the bangs etc. Thank goodness for double glazing! This year the local shooting has been louder than the fireworks, and it goes on for longer too, all day today, while I was pottering around the garden.
ReplyDeleteFab photo
ReplyDeleteI have avoided the fireworks, they dont appeal to me much these days and also had to keep the cat in, though she wasnt as bothered as I thought she would be
What a lovely picture. Now my son is grown up we don't get to see the large display the council always put on. A pity as the fireworks bring back that childheed feeling of ooo...aaah!
ReplyDelete