Monday, November 06, 2006

Early Winter Days

The light dusting of snow on a fallen cedar fence rail in the woods, one perfect owl feather among the wet leaves on the ridge, the blowsy plumes of field grasses and reeds along the edge of the western field — all are fine representations of the season and plangent leitmotifs in the windy musical work that is November.

I am watching the rainbow colours of field and forest fade away as the season progresses — they are settling slowly (and with many deep sighs) into the shadows and winter's subdued tints, soft bronzes, creams, beiges and silvery greys, small splashes here and there of winey red, burgundy, russet and a dark midnight blue which is almost iridescent in its sheen and intensity, but very fragile. The first snows in the woods are small sugary drifts over the old wood and leaves which are almost transparent in their fine lacy texture. The owl's barred feather reposes in thin sunlight under a fragrant cedar and seems to be giving off a graceful pearly light of its own. The weedy residents of the western field all seem to be cavorting in plumed and fuzzy hats.

One needs another lens and tuning for winter, a different sort of inward vision. My senses are performing a seasonal shift of their own now, moving carefully into the consideration of things which are small, still and muted, but complete within themselves and perfect, even if they are icy cold and wet). Emaho!

5 comments:

Shelley said...

Cate, OMG, these pictures are just breathtaking. And the moon, too!

Where do you get all your moon names from?

And what does Emaho mean?

Thank you for your beautiful gifts.

Rowan said...

This is such a beautiful piece of prose, I've printed this to keep and read again. It is such a perfect description of the beauty of winter. The owl feather is quite lovely too - and I also would like to know the meaning of Emaho?

Val said...

Thank you for pointing me the way of the shift of seasonal vision. I can see/feel that it comes from inner stillness. I shall pay attention and see if my senses, too, perform the shift. But AFTER I have exposed them to the wonders of autumn in Kyoto! Now the senses (inner and outer) are in for some overload! I am off on Wednesday. I must remember it is a city, though and prepare for the onslaught. Hurrah!

Anonymous said...

Ilove those fading colours, I love winter, do me good, I feel more peaceful...we need each season, deep inside...time to rest and cultivate your soul garden...
thank you for your words and photos
Mousie

Tabor said...

"soft bronzes, creams, beiges and silvery greys, small splashes here and there of winey red, burgundy, russet and a dark midnight blue."

Sounds like I've gotten some help in deciding on how to paint some of my rooms! I keep thinking nature, but not wanting the bright summer colors. Your post also made me less sad about the coming winter. It can be so beautiful.