I am thinking of time--
I am thinking of Spring, and the sun-seeking wheat,
Reaching up for her face like babies.
I am thinking of beginnings,
And how things start,
And of you with the sore and sorrowful heart.
Here in a September field,
I am thinking of time--
I am thinking of the scarecrow-ess, who needs to nurture,
And so kisses the birds who eat the wheat.
I am thinking of endings,
And how things are,
And of you with the sad and sorrowful heart.
In time, the time of angels comes,
And even the oak leaves finally fall;
Enfolded in frost-sweet brown-feathered wings,
You will sigh, and not think of time
At all.
_____
for dverse poetics, hosted by my dear friend Joy Ann Jones
You use the repetition here so softly, each phrase falls like a snowflake exactly where it's supposed to, building up in drifts of snow white image and emotion. Beautiful poem, full of soul. I didn't see how you could surpass the first stanza till I read the second, and so on to the sheer beauty of the ending lines. Fine writing, my friend, every word.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful poem. At this time of year I also think about beginnings and endings. I love autumn colors, but it is a kind of sad season to me and makes me think of my own season of life. I liked your last stanza. When angels come, no one will think of time.
ReplyDeleteimmaculate writing - a fantastic read - repitition is wonderfully appropriate to your theme - spellbinding
ReplyDeleteThis is such a lovely poem. I like that the repetition doesn't smack you in the face. It's more like the up and down swells in a calm ocean. I love the image of a scarecrow-ess kissing the birds!
ReplyDeleteThe reputation works perfectly in this poem-- so lovely and thought provoking.
ReplyDeletexo jj
Time here is the sensitive cobweb linked all the wells of emotions! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt lovely but sad poem.
ReplyDelete"I am thinking of beginnings,
ReplyDeleteAnd how things start,
And of you with the sore and sorrowful heart."
yes. I know...
Absolutely beautiful writing. The mood, the ache, the phrasing.....the brilliance of the "scarecrow-ess who needs to nurture", the closing lines "enfolded in frost-sweet brown-feathered wings"........sigh. So beautiful and sad and wonderful. I dont know how you maintain such a high calibre of writing month after month but am so very glad I am privileged to read it.
ReplyDeleteIn time, the time of angels comes,
ReplyDeleteAnd even the oak leaves finally fall;
Enfolded in frost-sweet brown-feathered wings,
You will sigh, and not think of time
At all.
Heavens, I should have come bearing gifts for this jewel. As one who would kiss the birds no matter the job description I loved this deeply. You astound with each deft encircling of the theme. Thank you. (word verification, wings)
I feel the same way during autumn, thinking of beginnings and endings.
ReplyDeleteLove the reflective voice as well as the sad and sorrowful heart ~
the sad and sorrowful heart...
ReplyDeletein time, you won't think of time at all....
what an amazing truth that is while grieving...
beginnings and endings all seem to run together as time runs along...each follows the next...will be glad when i dont have to think on time...some really nice textures...i rather like scarecrows...
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, this is an instant classic. I feel like I just opened a volume of poetry and found a new favourite.
ReplyDeleteI want to thank everyone for all the incredibly kind comments. They really put a smile on my face!
ReplyDeleteSeptember always makes me feel melancholy, and a a little bit restless and nostalgic.
autumn makes me feel melancholic as well..love how you blend the beginnings and endings together with a sadness and a longing for all that spring stands for...
ReplyDeleteLove how you conspire with sadness in the Spring of Fall September mornings to make it seem so calm.
ReplyDeleteWish I could have your thoughts by my side when my sojourn with time begets sadness.
Thanks for such a lovely piece.
"...frost-sweet brown-feathered wings." What a gorgeous line.
ReplyDeleteI agree--the bits of repetition, plus the touch of rhyme--is just right for this piece.
I'll say it again: We're so glad you're back, Shay!
Beautiful, bittersweet and romantic. You've come up with some classic lines in this one, amiga!
ReplyDeletemy daughter's birthday is at the end of September so i have happy feelings about the month.
ReplyDeleteyour poem is such a beautiful expression of beginnings and endings and the final verse is truly exquisite, Shay!
d ♥
The 2 sorrowful heart verses could be song lyrics.
ReplyDeleteI thought your Babs poem was really funny. Mostly I like seeing the two poems side by side - very cool.
This is one of the most beautiful pieces of poetry that has such wonderful lines. The time of the year and the beautiful bitter sweetness combined together.
ReplyDeletehttp://gatelesspassage.com/2011/09/24/loneliness-the-anger-of-lost-hope/
Beginnings to ends, another year, another bit of autumnal sadness and you celebrate it so delicately with your repetitive images of wheat, sun, bright leaves, and fallen trees. I sense the quick and the dead so near right now. You bring it into focus here. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSomber beauty this is. I try not to think so much (usually without success) - it's bad for my health. (sigh)
ReplyDeleteStrange. Just today I was thinking of life. How it begins, how it ends, and what we experience in between these two states. I think your poems sums it up beautifully.
ReplyDeleteYou write beautifully.
ReplyDeleteThis was beautifully sad...I love the idea of "I am thinking of the scarecrow-ess, who needs to nurture,
ReplyDeleteAnd so kisses the birds who eat the wheat." this was, as usual, wonderful writing!
How beautiful! This would be the quintessential funeral poem for the right (and deserving) type.
ReplyDeleteRe: videos, thank you for letting me know about the Lightfoot vid being removed. I replaced it now...
And this one, It's A Beautiful Day: I can hardly find the words to express what a powerful effect it had on a few years in my life that were made more crystal because of it. Years later, here in Oregon, in a small pub I danced in front of the floor-level stage to David LaFlamme and his later group, who did most of IABD's old songs. On break, he came to my table and we seemed to be almost like siblings we talked so deeply. It was a snowy night. I returned with him to his motel room after their last set, and we smoked m. and talked & talked--mostly about his relationship and how much he missed a normal life. He signed an 8x11 b&w photo of himself with a beautiful message on the back that spoke about soul connections after I had called a taxi. We kissed lightly at the open door and that is my story about David LaFlamme.
Ooh, weird. The word veri is shipsyn...as in ships-in- the-night?
September's song is sad but sweet
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's my mood, but this poem made tear up. It seemed so sad, especially the last line.
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy reading aloud and Hedgewitch is so right about the repetition...it's a light touch, but a perfect balance.
Each word more beautiful than the last all the way to the truly exquisite ending.
ReplyDeleteBeginnings and endings - lovely. September does seem like a melancholy month - and it's the end of one season and the beginning of another. Hope you are well and happy today, FB.
ReplyDelete