one red tree
On a drive to see some covered bridges in York County, we took a logging road along the Pokiok and Little Pokiok Streams.
Years ago, on this road, we saw an albino deer. On this recent trip however, the only wildlife we saw were the Flickers. As we drove along the road, a Flicker would fly up and lead us a ways before veering into the woods on the roadside.
It was a good road, maintained by a local forest company. Along the way, we crossed a small metal bridge and I stopped to take a photo of a small stream winding its way through a bog.
It was a lovely stream, deep and tea-colored. Over in the corner of the bog was one red tree, reminding me that our summer is fading quickly.
~
~
end of summer
~
on the path along the brook
one leaf bleeds into water
in town the walks are stony
chaff of linden, seeds
dry ditches overflow with flowers
~
I shrug
(no matter
summer is ended)
~
yellow rattle
pods and grasses
rehearse an incantation
wind sulks in corners of the shed
warmth and sun
paint the orange of pumpkins
knit winter mittens
~
I gather signs of autumn
asters, windfalls, flocks of red wings
frantic in the alders
acorns, hollow galls from oak
~
Orion peeks above the trees
time forgotten, found
and summer with rain never ends
~
I ask for rain
(arms loaded with everlasting)
~
~
Previously published as ‘end of summer’, Sept. 19, 2011, http://www.nichepoetryandprose.wordpress.com
~
© Jane Tims 2012
nichepoetryandprose 
Lovely post, Jane. “I gather signs of autumn…” I feel like that’s what I’ve been doing lately. You captured it all so well in your poem. 🙂
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Robin
September 17, 2012 at 2:46 pm
Great post! I especially enjoyed the picture with the note that the person had crossed the bridge 70 years ago.
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Sheryl
September 14, 2012 at 1:25 am
Hi Sheryl. Yes, I liked the note too… it was only written a week or so ago. I wonder if there are covered bridges where you are or if your grandmother ever mentioned a covered bridge in her diary. Jane
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jane tims
September 14, 2012 at 8:10 am
I don’t think that she specifically mentioned whether any bridges that she regularly crossed were covered bridges–but that would be an interesting thing for me to research.
There are still a couple in the general area.
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Sheryl
September 14, 2012 at 8:25 am
These photos are so beautiful! I can almost hear the splashing of that stream. It’s strange to read about the end of your summer when ours is just beginning- a reminder that time marches on.
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stephanie
September 12, 2012 at 10:06 pm
Hi. I envy you, at the beginning of spring! I hope your summer is a little cooler than ours! My brother lived in Brisbane for a while, so I have heard how hot it can be. Jane
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jane tims
September 13, 2012 at 7:13 pm
Flue shot season
we collect recipes for
a Church cookbook
The catbirds have left, and the hummingbirds are filling up at the feeders for their long journey. The kingfisher’s rattle can still be heard for a short while across the brooks and streams. Autumn has us on its schedule already… the morning chill wakens us to warming afternoons with that cool autum breeze to make it comfortable. The air is crystal clear and we quicken in our steps taking deep breaths.
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snowbirdpress
September 12, 2012 at 5:46 pm
Hi Merrill. You capture the changes of autumn so well! Jane
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jane tims
September 13, 2012 at 7:10 pm
Lovely in every way, Jane. Thank you.
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Jane Fritz
September 12, 2012 at 11:52 am
Hi. Thanks! Jane
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jane tims
September 12, 2012 at 12:00 pm
This blog touches my heart. You have captured and shared the essence of this time of year so perfectly. I really enjoyed this one, thanks.
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Carol Steel
September 12, 2012 at 8:17 am
Hi Carol. It is sad to see the summer fade, but I love the fall (and its coolness!). Glad you liked it! Jane
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jane tims
September 12, 2012 at 9:14 am