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.

more of Cindy’s pictures. today would have been our thirtieth anniversary.

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.