Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Rain, Fog and Migration

It's a typical end-of-September morning here. I rose early and made coffee, pulled the draperies open and let Spencer out for a leisurely nose around the garden. Coffee in hand, I peered out into the street and up into the sky. There is rain in the forecast for this entire day, and fog and dense clouds cover the village like a blanket, floating like cotton just over the treetops.

The autumn migration is in full swing, and this whole part of the world seems to be on its way somewhere, except for me. The bluebirds, swallows and loons have already departed. The great herons remain, but they seem restless, and it will not be long until they have taken wing - their food supply is slowly disappearing from the marshes and estuaries where they made their summer homes.

Canada geese from farther north are passing over the little blue house in great singing waves this morning. They are so high that I can't see them, and I can barely hear their song of farewell, but I know they are calling goodbye, for they always do. If I had the proper voice for such an exercise, I would sing back, but I can only bless them and send them on their way with heartfelt wishes for a safe and happy journey and a speedy return in springtime.

There is a kind of serene melancholy and longing inherent in these autumn days, a sense of transience and impermanence and things falling away, a profound appreciation of these natural processes completing themselves, then beginning their perfect round motion once more.

6 comments:

Sorrow said...

I often wonder about the Melancholy that autumn brings...How can it be wrapped in such brightly colored leaves, and with such wonderful songs? The pileated woodpecker was in my yard all day yesterday tapping out his messages..
Your photo is exquisite, far suiting melancholy, than the blanket of dancing autumn leaves that are falling down my mountains..
may color and song warm you through your time of introspection...

Deirdre said...

I read through twice, just to fall into the words again. Lovely.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Once again a beautiful post.
I am at loss for words.
I do know that in Tennessee our autumn is barely beginning.
With my loss of Sadie I am having thoughts of another dog. Almost stopped at the shelter yesterday.
I just know if I do that I will return to my cottage with another companion.

Visual-Voice said...

simply beautiful. thank you.

Anonymous said...

Great photo, really evokes a mood.

Livia Indica said...

I absolutely adore this post, the photo especially. Just beautiful!