Sunday, March 15, 2009

FAREWELL (OSI)



SAY GOODBYE

another summer gone
the annual extinction of
each autumn day begins
a Mourning-cloak lies
fallen at the gate
wing margins in tatters
the wave of its life
sinking back into
the river of all living

the air is clear
and bright with molecules
of Caesar’s dying breath
of fresh-cut spruce
and the last faint sigh
of the old season


Visit ONE SINGLE IMPRESSION for haiku and other poetic responses to this prompt.
Photo from www.discoverlife.com

30 comments:

bobbie said...

A sad but beautiful one.

Annie Jeffries said...

Your imagery here is so careful and effectively chosen. There is a beautiful rhythm to this passing of the season.

sgreerpitt said...

Your lovely poem is a reminder that my little corner of the world is not the only thing happening on earth -- that as winter closes here, summer is coming to an end in the other half of the world. It is also a reminder of the cycle of the seasons, that each season gives way to another.

J said...

Poignant and deep.

anthonynorth said...

You bring seasonal change truly to life here.

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Sylvia K said...

This is beautiful! And I can only second what everyone else has said. And such a great reminder that we all need to think on. Thanks as always, Deborah!

Beth P. said...

et tu?
You and Christine, out to off the old man...

Loved this--made something inside of me wake and say 'hello'!

Thank you, dear Deborah--

Quiet Paths said...

the wave of its life
sinking back into
the river of all living

This poem made me hold my breath just for an instant as if trying to hold onto the moment. Just beautiful Deb.

Anonymous said...

I love 'the river of all living' and 'bright with molecules of Caesar's dying breath' -- melancholy but yet sparkling.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Deb, We are home from Arkansas. It was a great visit despite the horrible weather. Had an awful ice storm. See my today's blog.

Love your poem..Seems like the seasons come and go---no matter what. We came home to see some crocus blooms and some daffodils blooming. And our Robins are back out on the ground. SO--out goes the winter (I hope)... ha

Hope you had a good week.
Hugs,
Betsy

Geraldine said...

Oh so beautifully written Deborah. This is poetry at it's best!

Hugs, G

Great Grandma Lin said...

i liked the images in your poem-powerful

Maggie said...

The changing of the Seasons can cause different emotions and you expressed it well in this poem.

Sylvia K said...

Don't clobber me, but I have given you an award and you can check it out on my blog.

Kim said...

Lovely prose. Wonderful description of seasonal change.

Sherri B. said...

"Wing margins in tatters"...I loved that especially. Beautifully done, and a gorgeous photo!

SandyCarlson said...

I hear, I feel, I give that last sigh with this marvelous poem.

Roswila said...

Nice! Intriguing how just that one image of Caesar's last breath almost belies the idea of farewell ...

Jeeves said...

Wonderful one here. Poignant and sad.

Sij said...

Nice one..the changing winds, the last breath and an unspoken farewell.

Tumblewords: said...

The seasons are all encompassing, as are the farewells that arrive. Known and not. Lovely work.

Anonymous said...

I am feeling like that mourning cloak looks at the end of this long winter. Strange, I hate to see summer go, but don't mind winter at all.

qualcosa di bello said...

'the last faint sigh of the old season' falls gently on the mind like an autumn leaf fluttering to the ground...just beautiful!

Amias (ljm and liquidplastic) said...

The changing of the guards comes to mind as I read this. Seasons are like this, and what a beautiful way of expressing it.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful..very discriptive with that photo!

totomai said...

really really atmospheric. so sad but effectively written

Jim said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jim said...

Yes, summer's gone. I'm too old to volunteer for your attorney job at The Orion Project. Mainly because it is in Washington, D.C. I couldn't live up there now.
I've fallen at the gate. But I got up and now am here helping with the autumn people.
..
Deborah, I don't post it on my Photo and Poem Place but Adi, my beagle dog, is a therapy dog, we are a registered team.
We visit at an assisted living home in town. The people there relate to her very well and she to them. We are also well received in the Alzheimer wing by the residents there.
I think you know that I am retired.
..

Tammy Brierly said...

This was worth the last minute scramble. Breathtaking!

Patti said...

Beuatifully written- loved the last few lines. Good-bye to one season and hello to the next...