Tuesday September 27 2016  THE WORK IS IN THE AIR

Cool nights and mild days of autumn signal the time for lots of work.  The cold nights quickly bring color to the trees and we know that lots of work awaits us.  As I sat down to write the sentence which my husband said to me a few moments ago, I realized that sentence was the first line of my poem for today, as well as the title for this publication.  So as I write this blog my poem about autumn is already written.  Usually I write the blog and THEN compose the poem.

In Wisconsin the seasons are very succinct when it comes time to change.  It’s just too bad that some seasons sometime arrive early and then, end up like unwanted guests, as you can’t seem to get rid of them; especially winter.  On the calendar the seasons are SUPPOSE TO START AND END ON CERTAIN DATES.  Rarely does that happen in Wisconsin.  Sometimes a season will begin on time but, some of them (like winter), long overstay their welcome.  

Autumn has made her debut right on time this year.  Some of our gardens are in demise and others will bloom profusely until the first frost.  And quickly the temperature begins to fall.  Beautiful warmish days as the night temperatures begin to plummet.  And another quilt is added to my side of the bed.  Perhaps that is because I sleep closer to the open window that allows the fresh cool night air to mingle with our breaths.  I so enjoy the brisk, invigorating night air.  And all too soon more quilts are again piled on, the window slit becomes smaller, and we have our first frost.  And Mr. Frost is coming soon because I had to wear socks to bed last night for the first time since spring.

Cleaning up a yard as large as ours is truly an endeavor.  Dave works diligently each day doing what needs to be done as our yard is put to bed.  He works and works getting everything cleaned up…and then…the leaves will fall.  When the leaves fall we know that winter is just around the corner.  And since we live in an extremely wooded area we have lots and lots of leaves.  Fortunately many of the leaves are used as mulch and are raked onto beds of ferns, hostas, and flower gardens.  We try to remove the flowers in bloom before the first frost hits.  They are easier to pull up by the roots rather than having piles of soggy black leaves everywhere.  We sometimes change our annual flower beds from year to year so we don’t like having all the seeds left behind which then encroach on next spring’s flower selection.

And now is the time when we feel the cooler temperatures and know that lots and lots of work is brewing in the air.  We love living here, but we pay dearly with back labor, especially Dave.  Someday we may move from this place.  If we do, it will only be because of the yard, not because of the house.  We love living right where we have been planted for the past 30 years.  Our roots go deep and it will probably take a lot of pruning in our lives to get us to the place of moving.  I do think it will happen.  God has been so gracious to allow me to live in such a wonderland of beauty and I will enjoy it to the fullest every day that I am here.  God never ceases to amaze me when I view the glory of his creation.

 

THE WORK IS IN THE AIR

By Kathleen Martens

September 27, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

The nights are colder,

The work is in the air.

I can see it in the trees,

I see it everywhere!

 

Now is the time

To put the yard to bed,

Snipping and cutting

The branches that are dead.

 

Pruning and hauling

Debris to curb;

Their beautiful purpose

Has graciously been served.

 

God’s magnificent creation

Starts with a seed.

And then marches on

As if an army to feed.

 

Transplanting and thinning

Gardens gone wild,

Now is the time

While temperatures are mild.

 

The trees are yet green

Holding the promise of work

Over the next few weeks,

Which cannot be shirked.

 

Since nights are colder

The color will come,

And the leaves will fall

And we’ll call our son.

 

And the heaps will grow

As we rake the miles,

And the grandsons will enjoy

Jumping into the piles.

 

Autumn’s work creates

A celebration of life!

At the end of a season

So early is night.

 

And the world will sleep

Under mounds of snow,

And we then bundle up

When outside we go.

 

Yes, the season of work

Can be felt in the air.

As the garden is tucked

Into bed with such care.

 

And as the earth rests,

So gratefully shall we.

Short days and long nights

Make me happy as can be.

 

But first we must complete

All the chores we face

Before we can snuggle,

Into our warm cozy space.

 

Stop and take time to glory in the creation around you, WHEREVER YOU MAY LIVE.  After all, we can’t all live in the most beautiful state of the Union!  But isn’t it wonderful that God’s beautiful creation can be enjoyed wherever you are; if you but stop to partake.

 

Lord I give You praise for the beauty You have created around me.

Thank You God for the seasons that You have created.

Thank You God for the seasons of life which You have given me.

Thank You for every birthday celebration I have.

Thank You that I am Your child.

 

I HOPE YOUR DAY IS WONDERFUL!

GOD BLESS YOU!