Friday, October 14, 2016

Fired-Up Friday


First Frost

            We had our first frost warning last night. While the field behind my house was misty and very autumn-like this morning, I think those of us near Lake Michigan may have escaped Jack Frost’s icy touch. Hearing the forecast yesterday, I made my yearly trudge into the backyard to gather in the hanging flower baskets and potted plants that I watered and repotted and tended to all summer. I grouped them together on the patio, up close to the house, and gently covered them with old pillowcases and towels. Then I rescued the flower box from the front yard and gave it the same attention. I know, I know. I’m only putting off the inevitable. They’ll have to go eventually. There’s no way to keep them alive through the winter. But they’re still blooming, as if oblivious of what’s to come, and I’m not quite ready to let them go yet. Rather like letting go of our children, we’re never quite ready. Rather like the finished book that needs to go out into the world, I’m not quite ready to set it free. So in spite of knowing the time is coming soon for the flowers, today wasn’t the day.

            Bringing the flowers together last night made me think of a poem that’s always been a favorite. It’s one that’s a little bittersweet, a little melancholy, but it fits this time of year so well.

Nature’s first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf’s a flower;

But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day,

Nothing gold can stay.

            Nothing Gold Can Stay

 Robert Frost

 




 


6 comments:

Diane Burton said...

Great post, Lucy. I agree about the lake's tempering the weather. My flowers seem to have gone through a rebirth. They're blooming again!

Margo Hoornstra said...

Was it just last week we were complaining about the heat? It is hard to let our flowers go. My geraniums are still hanging in there, too. Love the poem.

Unknown said...

Beautiful Luce! The changing seasons don't wait for us. They keep us on our toes and bring us something new to see and do. Love Robert Frost, perfect choice, thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Beautiful Luce! The changing seasons don't wait for us. They keep us on our toes and bring us something new to see and do. Love Robert Frost, perfect choice, thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Love the poem, and photos, Lucy. You're right about the bittersweet change of seasons.

Lucy K. said...

Which makes it so much harder to see them go. Let's enjoy them while we can!