Rush Hour Creek and the Cost of Autumn
The creek traps leaves
into neatly
piled stacks
like the papers on my desk
that I’m too busy to read
Filed between the rocks
on the rush downstream
they give a seasonal accounting
of Autumn’s mounting cost
~ Pond House Retreat, November '04
Post Note: I don't have a photo of the creek. The above photo is of a photo that currently sits on my kitchen table. It's of the inscription on my dad's gravestone. He left this world last November.
Comments
Strong hugs to you. Beautiful, poignant poem. (I didn't realize until now that both our fathers died in November, mine in 2002.)
Posted by: Elissa | November 1, 2006 1:49 AM
I love that Old Song...That is so sweet that THAT is on your Dad's gravestone...And the Autumn leaves are so pretty, Collen....
Posted by: OldOldLady Of The Hills | November 1, 2006 4:39 AM
i love the poem, colleen. it's as good, if not better, than most new poetry i read. this will be the difference between your site and mine- i have to post other people's poetry. what a gift to write your own!
Posted by: amy f. | November 1, 2006 8:14 AM
i think your dad's inscription is so awesome. it reminds you that he'll never leave you - not really.
Posted by: carmen | November 1, 2006 8:57 AM
Simply loved the poem. (first time visitor and enjoyed more of the blog as well.)
Tom (an imperfect stranger)
Posted by: Tom Atkins | November 1, 2006 12:21 PM
That essay you wrote about your father just made me cry.
Apple blossoms are so sweet and beautiful.
Posted by: Jos | November 1, 2006 1:54 PM
It sounds like the population he created is a very talented group of folks, and I am sure he is very proud of all of you.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and images with us.
Posted by: Susan | November 1, 2006 2:28 PM
Your eulogy was perfect and tied every feeling together. I love apple blossums and so love the inscription.
Your dad sure did create an amazing population!
Posted by: ruth | November 1, 2006 4:33 PM
I can just see the creek...a lovely poem.
Posted by: Ginnie | November 1, 2006 5:08 PM
Very nice photo and I love the inscription. (what's it say below it though? I can't make it out)
Posted by: Terri | November 1, 2006 5:22 PM
It's two rings together and it says 60 years which is how long my parents were married. He died, as my sister Kathy says, "just a tear away" from their 60th which would have been in January. Funny thing about the photo. My brother sent several of them and they came weeks late in a PO envelope with a note apologizing for any damage. The front of the gravestone has a rainbow and in all the pictures he sent, the rainbow was the color of a real rainbow! I think there may have been some water damage. Was someone crying?
Posted by: colleen | November 1, 2006 6:11 PM
I think that is a beautiful inscription Colleen.
Remember all of us will be with you this November so lean on us if you need to!
Posted by: Deana | November 1, 2006 6:12 PM
Thanks for telling me about the other inscription. That was really nice and how eerie about that rainbow!
Posted by: Terri | November 2, 2006 5:47 PM
A world too busy to get to what it drops in the creek?!?! Thank God for the creek!
Posted by: Rick | November 4, 2006 5:43 PM
Perhaps I'll be less "cryptic" and say that I love how this poem describes Autumnal decay. And thank God for creeks!
Posted by: Rick | November 4, 2006 6:15 PM