The Ides of August observations #phenology

(Actually, we’re fudging a little. The real Ides of August were on August 13.) The past few days have brought delightful weather, gentle breezes, coolish seasonable temperatures, blue skies, although we’re still in a drought. Earlier this afternoon I met a young garter snake near the foot of the driveway as I was headed for the mail box. Roadsides in our area have lost the lavender blooms of bee balm but are showing more flowers on goldenrod, Joe Pye weed, and thistles. Soon we’ll be able to enjoy the pale and faded whitish/purple/bluish aster blooms.

Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) on Joe Pye  weed

Photo by J. Harrington

The extended precipitation forecast gives us hope for above normal precipitation through the end of the month. If the forecast proves true, we may yet be able to safely torch the brush pile on or before the autumn equinox.

In Response to a Question:
”What Does the Earth Say?”

The earth says have a place, be what that place
requires; hear the sound the birds imply
and see as deep as ridges go behind
each other. (Some people call their scenery flat,
their only pictures framed by what they know:
I think around them rise a riches and a loss
too equal for their chart - but absolutely tall.)

The earth says every summer have a ranch
that’s minimum: one tree, one well, a landscape
that proclaims a universe - sermon
of the hills, hallelujah mountain,
highway guided by the way the world is tilted,
reduplication of mirage, flat evening:
a kind of ritual for the wavering.

The earth says where you live wear the kind
of color that your life is (grey shirt for me)
and by listening with the same bowed head that sings
draw all things into one song, join
the sparrow on the lawn, and row that easy
way, the rage without met by the wings
within that guide you anywhere the wind blows.

Listening, I think that’s what the earth says.

+ William Stafford

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