It will not stay.
But this morning we wake to pale muslin
stretched across the grass.
The pumpkins, still in the fields, are planets
shrouded by clouds.
The Weber wears a dunce cap
and sits in the corner by the garage
where asters wrap scarves
around their necks to warm their blooms.
The leaves, still soldered to their branches
by a frozen drop of dew, splash
apple and pear paint along the roadsides.
It seems we have glanced out a window
into the near future, mid-December, say,
the black and white photo of winter
carefully laid over the present autumn,
like a morning we pause at the mirror
inspecting the single strand of hair
that overnight has turned to snow.
Well here it is just as the title of Haight’s poem says – this morning we wake to pale muslin / stretched across the grass. Pumpkins are planets / shrouded by clouds, a dunce cap on the barbeque. Leaves still soldered to their branches / by a frozen drop of dew are now colourful splashes of apple and pear paint.
He gives us a picture, a black and white photo of winter / carefully laid over the present autumn. Then he creates another picture, the morning we first find the single strand of hair / that overnight has turned to snow. Unlike our grey hairs, this snow will not last, yet it marks the inexorable changing of the season.
It will not stay, this early October snow – perhaps it has already melted by the time you are reading this. Everything changes, this thin muslin blanket now seems to tell us, so we must appreciate the beauty we are offered each day. It will not stay.
Lovely Jan – thank you for this poem as always just the right one! Love Madeline
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Thanks Madeline, guess we won’t be swimming again for awhile 🙂 xoxox
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Jan,
Once again you’ve chosen such a perfect poem. Haight captures so much in this beautifully crafted poem and you with your very wise and insightful comments. Thank you for giving us yet another moment of beauty to appreciate on this day. Love, Lisa
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Thank you Lisa, although this is late October snow rather than early, it still is beautiful. xoxox
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Now THAT is timing! Love how Mother Nature “prepares” us if we are paying attention – thanks so much Jan xo
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Well, I had another one in mind but as you say, the timing was too perfect 🙂 xoxox
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Very nice at building the scene. . .
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Lovely imagery isn’t it – creates the scene in my mind. thanks Jay
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thanks Jan
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