I’m a fan of William Carlos Williams. His Willow Poem is not only one of my favorites, it’s the sum and total of my thoughts regarding the current shifting of seasons.
It is a willow when summer is over,
a willow by the river from which no leaf has fallen nor
bitten by the sun
turned orange or crimson.
The leaves cling and grow paler,
swing and grow paler,
they are so cool, so drunk with
the swirl of the wind and of the river–
oblivious to winter,
the last to let go and fall
into the water and on the ground.
…
Oh, summer I don’t want to let go.
The air has grown teeth, and I have traded summer skirts for restrictive pants. Ava’s preschool opened its doors and she rushed right in.
The apples are ripe for picking and this seasons pumpkins have made their debut at the farmer’s market.
Yet, I want to hold out my hand and stop the fall. I want to pull my down comforter over my head and pretend its the summer air beckoning me out for another walk around the lake. I want to soak in a few more skeins of sun to knit myself a sweater before the cold winds blow.
The calendar promises fourteen more days of summer. Does anyone know where I can go to redeem those?
You write such beautiful words, Rachel. And is that you in the photo at the market? You must have had a haircut since I last saw you because I don’t hardly recognize you. Perhaps it’s just been that long.
And YES I know where you can redeem those days…my house in southeastern Ohio! We have 80 degrees on the radar all week.
Thanks for lifting my day a few steps above Dr Seuss.
elisa e.
Henri says, “That pictures is when Ava & I were dancing. Ava’s a good dancer. I like to dance with her.”
Like I told you before, I’m not happy about putting away the Cosette’s new summer clothes from Johnny’s mom or my summer skirts too. 🙂
Three cheers for W.C. Williams!!
Down comforters, homemade applesauce, dark mornings…it’s coming…
We usually get hit with the rains and fall/winter rushes in after Halloween. I don’t mind the rains so much as I mind the dark. But I can’t complain!
I love your earrings, BTW.
i understand. i feel your pain. i too love your earrings. 🙂
I will go with you when you find that place to “redeem” the last 14 day of summer!!! 🙂
Isn’t this just all going TOO fast? How did fall creep up on us like this??
I too LOVE your earrings!! 🙂
[…] if you would have told me that yesterday, I would have denied […]
Oh my friend. I, too, am feeling melancholy over the quick departure of our warm and attractive friend Summer. I’m just not ready to let go yet.
Maybe I’ll retreat to my bedroom and turn all the lights off and stare pensively out the window and listen to sad love music. Worked for me in high school when I had to say good-bye to my “true love” too soon.
How I love fall, I love the cool crisp air, I love the changing colors. Their especially beautiful on the Aspens high up in the mountains this time of year. I love jeans and sweatshirts. Actually since I have discovered fleece pants im all about them and long sleeve t’s. (I do admit im addicted to tan lines on my feet) But, sorry Rachel that means I am not aware of any place to redeem those last days of summer.