Daybreak, Autumn

(Oh, how I wish I'd had my camera with me that morning; instead, I offer my little watercolor study, done in a different time, different place)

It may have been a bit later than daybreak, but not much. The feeling of newness was still in the air as I walked the paths of one of my favorite places.

The play of light across the clouds was beautiful.

Improbable as it seems, they did look like paving stones to me.

They had that worn, traveled look about them, and the early sunlight did look like they were cupping the coals of an overnight fire which had just been given a breath of morning air.

The ducks were on the pond, of course, keeping an eye on me for any move suggesting a handout for them.

And the crows, the raucous crows, who always seem to be arguing about something, were there in the trees.

It was a sort of shopping list of images, but I tried to make a little more of it than just that. I think ending with the hint of coming snow added to the mood.

The poem:

DAYBREAK, AUTUMN

Clouds hang
like paving stones
in the eastern
sky, hammered silver
cupping the coals
of early light,
while ducks glide
like fallen leaves
on the shadowed pond
and crows crowd
the feathery trees,
swaying and talking
raucously about
the chances of snow.
© 1999
(originally published in Capper's)

Today's word: raucously

Afterthoughts ... in response to your comments:

Well, thank you, Market Value(r) ... for that fantastic comment ... which got my day off to a sunny start. And remember, the welcome mat is always out.

And thank you, Helen, for those kind words about my words ... and about the watercolor. Music to my ears.

I'm delighted, This and That, that you like the watercolor ... and my approach to poetry, too.