Friday, September 20, 2013

An Earlier Autumn


                                   ... on a hillside below a silent barn / my grandfather wandered

         ... searched the moonlight for cattle long gone 
                                                                       
                                                                                               ... safe in an earlier autumn






My reading of this poem on public radio October 21, 2014:
https://beta.prx.org/stories/134186

16 comments:

  1. Dear Teresa, thank you for evoking the whole of a life with this poem. Peace.

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  2. This piece is my new gold standard. In these 22 words you have concentrated so much meaning, and you end with a gentle surprise that may summon a different set of emotions from each reader. I found it sad-but-comforting.

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    1. I cannot express how much your comment means to me. Thank you, Nancy.

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  3. Love the photo, it looks so silent, still but yet has an autumn sense to it but I wouldn't want to be the one searching for cattle on a night like that.

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    1. No, it was not a good night, particularly when they had been gone for years. We knew his mind was going fast ...

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  4. Haunting.....and surreal. A reminder of the value of memory and respect. Just about perfect. Oh, did I say also Elegant?

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    1. Thank you so much, Bill. You always understand...

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    2. Poignant, and beautiful.
      This one evokes memories of my Grandpa's final years, and causes me to wonder what my own will be like.
      "Safe in an earlier autumn" is a wonderful conclusion.

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    3. Thanks so much, Bill. Yes, one pauses to wonder ... so many ways for a life to slip into the next ...

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  5. Well done Teresa. After my dad suffered a stroke many long lasting memories would pop into his head effortlessly. Somedays this was really
    tough. Other days it was almost like he was completely normal. Your words certainly hit home with me. Thank you.

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    1. Thank you, Steven. I'm very glad my parents held on to their minds til the end ... that would be tough to deal with ... so nice to hear from you on this beautiful autumn day ...

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  6. Very thoughtful, Teresa.
    Who really knows what depth of thought, and feeling, in that silent mind?

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    Replies
    1. Yes, they may appear "lost" to us, but in many ways he /she might be found....

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