Sunday, November 4, 2012

Deep In The Brain, Far Back

Night Crow

When I saw that clumsy crow
Flap from the wasted tree,
A shape in the mind rose up:
Over the gulfs of dream
Flew a tremendous bird
Further and further away
Into a moonless black
Deep in the brain, far back.

--Theodore Roethke


Isn't that a marvelous poem that sort of swirls around in the sky of your head?  I think of it as a Fall poem, meant to be read when electric yellow leaves fly through dark grey days and the world feels a little uncertain.  There is a depth to this time of year that I can appreciate.  The fall has more texture than the other seasons; the colors stand out, even more than the rioting flowers of summer.  The air feels different, expectant maybe.  The other seasons are more straightforward, but there's a quality now that seems mysterious.  I love it.  

I have had adventures away and adventures at home lately; I love both.  Here are some pictures that tell a bit of my fall story so far:
We grew a thumbkin this year!  Won't the fairies love it?

asters

last hurrah

dear friends

Tia

big maple at dusk

the river

happy in the kitchen

very impressive

cool, huh?

Korean War Memorial--ghostly!

a walk in the Virginia woods

Whoa!  Miller almost stepped on this fellow.  

Caretaker's house at the old, now-closed prison in Lorton, VA.  Eerie.



pumpkin catapult

airborne and leaf-bound!

hot soup and cream biscuits for a chilly night

May the Night Crow land on your bedpost and carry you over the gulfs of dream...

4 comments:

  1. A nice window into the variety of adventures. Fall is the most contemplative season. The colors as a final defiance before decay/withdrawal but knowing emergence will come with time. Your brain certainly is not a moonless black, though, as it is evident there are shimmering lights in all corners.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the happy kitchen. Love to see your faces! The kids are so big (waaaaa) and I wish I was there watching them catapult the pumpkins! I LIke your trip pics.! Can't wait to see you soon. Congratulations on a successful Volleyball Season!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hey thANks for including a few shots from our wonderful northern visit. Twas grand. I love that you got to Virginia,(?) too. Next stop: FRANCE! Keep up the kitchen adventures. We like pesto now, thanks to you! :O)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Glad to see you blogging again, here as well as your wreath blog. The Roethke poem, your narrative, and the pictures are super!--Dad

    ReplyDelete