On our walk this morning it was evident that the season was changing; the willows along the creek turned yellow almost overnight. There was a woman sitting in a chair, singing. (Really.)
Not much to say today so I’ll let other people do it. These pictures were mostly taken in October but it’s close enough as to make no difference to me.
Herbsttag
Rainer Maria Rilke
(my translation is near the bottom)
Herr: es ist Zeit. Der Sommer war sehr groß.
Leg deinen Schatten auf die Sonnenuhren,
und auf den Fluren laß die Winde los.
Befiehl den letzten Früchten voll zu sein;
gieb ihnen noch zwei südlichere Tage,
dränge sie zur Vollendung hin und jage
die letzte Süße in den schweren Wein.
Wer jetzt kein Haus hat, baut sich keines mehr.
Wer jetzt allein ist, wird es lange bleiben,
wird wachen, lesen, lange Briefe schreiben
und wird in den Alleen hin und her
unruhig wandern, wenn die Blätter treiben.
An Autumn Day
Rainer Maria Rilke
Lord: it is time. The summer was so grand.
Lay your shadows across the sundial,
And on the fields let loose the wind.
Command the last fruits to swell;
Give them but two days of southern weather
Urge them to ripeness and press
The ultimate sweetness into heavy wine.
Who has no house now, will never build one.
Who is alone now, will always be,
Will wake, read, write long letters
And restlessly wander the streets
Like leaves in the wind.
Your recent posts have been beautiful. Beauty and melancholy are very much intertwined. I lost a dear family member this time of year as well, and the memory of him is always alive in the luminosity of autumn color.
Thanks. Sigh.
Bob
Breathtaking and inspirational photos. The melancholy poem says it perfectly except for a dog to walk with.
She had a pretty good time with her digital camera.