PoetryPix
depictions by the rule of thirds; descriptions mostly freestyle words
a decline and fall
I decline to use that other A word
whilst there are still vestiges of Aestas
it has been hot, stiflingly so
here in the deep south of the metropolis
so much so that trees drooped disconsolately
in the streets they frittered away foliage
a midsummer strip down to see-through layers
– as did we all – just now then the leaves
that tumble, a mere scattering, smattering
sigh of relief before the main event
I’m a full-on child of summer, borderline Leonesque
one of the first to throw off cardigan cares
before the May blossoms out
dust off sandals and still walk through puddles
when the first frosts finger toes
at garden parties, you’ll find me with the late leavers
as the worn out welcome dawns
timing is the proverbial essence, of law, comedy, drama
and we seasoned performers know to draw out
the relentless minute from the distance left to run*
Still I woke to see that harbinger of the Fall
this very day, a gangly, gauzy Tipula+
tap-tapping the window pane, inside looking out
or maydaying for escape? dot.dot.dash – a short time span
just long enough to mate to die perchance
to offload leather bound offspring in field and grass
– several hundred each; a numbers game of life
against sharp-eyed starlings on annual mow-down
in the close cut lawns of summer
For Poets:
*a nod and salute to Kipling’s If
For Naturalists:
+Tipulidae Craneflies UK
Hanging in there on some summer for today’s Poetry Pantry
18 Comments on “a decline and fall”
My Garden Blog
You really plunge us into the scene – stunning imagery and beautiful story telling
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plunge right in Jaerose – thank you
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Wonderful… but also frightening after a hot summer like this.
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I almost dare not complain lest the next few summers are a wash out
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I like the idea of the trees stripping down to withstand the heat, like us. I enjoyed this poem, Laura.
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thanks Sherry – was a little wary of the anthropomorphism here!
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This is beyond exquisite, Laura! ❤️ There are so many striking images here “trees drooped disconsolately in the streets”.. and oh “May blossoms out, dust off sandals and still walk through puddles” Love it! 🙂
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as always you are very generous with your feedback – thank you Sanaa
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We have a series of jokes here in Richmond that begin: It is so hot that…the trees run around looking for shade. I am a child of the late fall/early winter. I will be glad when the heat leaves and the cool returns.
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love that saying & hope to quote it next summer
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There are thousands of them in Richmond. For example, one of many: It is so hot the lifespan of a popsicle is 3.5 seconds.
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Wonderful descriptions! (I like Summer too – but Autumn is my favourite. Here we are just coming into Spring, which is all right too. It’s Winter I’d rather do without.)
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thank you Rosemary – we are in opposing seasons and that makes all the difference as Mr Frost almost said
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I enjoyed the play on words in the title and the opening line, Laura! I also love the lines:
‘…just now then the leaves
that tumble, a mere scattering, smattering
sigh of relief before the main event’
that’s exactly what is happening in our garden. Personally, I can’t wait for the main event, when I can layer up in hat, scarf, gloves, boots.
You made me smile with the lines:
‘Still I woke to see that harbinger of the Fall
this very day, a gangly, gauzy Tipula+
tap-tapping the window pane, inside looking out
or maydaying for escape? dot.dot.dash…’
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thanks Kim – I did not want Mr Waugh turning nasty in his grave! As for the main event, it is something I almost make myself enjoy at first and then I get into the swing of it before the dread of winter!! Perhaps it is me in Tipula form maydaying on the window
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😊
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Ah – I don’t want to use the “A” word either. Summer is gone way too soon.
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feel I wasted it trying to stay cool but there are still 12 days left before the A word comes into use!
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