Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Nature Notes: Swan Song


Swan Songs


That time of year thou mayst in me behold 
When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang 
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold, 
Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang. 
In me thou see'st the twilight of such day 
As after sunset fadeth in the west; 
Which by and by black night doth take away, 
Death's second self, that seals up all in rest. 
In me thou see'st the glowing of such fire, 
That on the ashes of his youth doth lie, 
As the deathbed whereon it must expire, 
Consumed with that which it was nourished by. 
 This thou perceiv'st, which makes thy love more strong, 
To love that well which thou must leave ere long.

- Sonnet 73, Shakespeare


Hey, it's fall. I get moody. And I love that last bit, "This thou perceiv'st, which makes thy love more strong: To love that well which thou must leave ere long."  Ain't it the truth? Ain't it the truth?


    
For more Nature Notes, visit Michelle and her guests at Rambling Woods.

8 comments:

Rambling Woods said...

Yes...I hear you..I am in kind of a blue funk... but this photo is beautiful and the prose fits it well... Michelle

Karen said...

Pretty reflection! I love autumn and the cool crisp air revitalizes me!

Linda Myers said...

I get that way too. Wish I could glide easily between the seasons.

Leora said...

I love the composition, the reflection, the floating leaves. Like you want to reach out and touch.

MyMaracas said...

Michelle and Linda - I'm not sure what it is that always makes me so melancholy this time of year. Like you, Karen, I do love the colors and the pumpkins and the crisp, fresh air. Not to mention the impossibly blue skies. And yet ... well. Anyway.

Thanks, Leora and Laura! I'm glad you like the photo. (And Laura- I did try to comment on your entry, but the comment box won't open.)

EG CameraGirl said...

The spirit of autumn well expressed by Shakespeare and beautifully illustrated by YOU! ;)

MastHoliday said...

Absolute Fantastic shot!!

Carver said...

Beautiful shot and I like the sonnet you put with it.