October in the Texas Coastal Plains

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RSWells
Member Elite

since 2001-06-17

Posts 2533

0 posted 2001-10-29 06:28 PM

Seaside Goldenrod and Bluestem
teeter whispering tete-a-tete
in a bright and windy autumn
sounds mix with Switchgrass castanets.

Grasshoppers with Preying Mantis
cling to swaying stems of gold,
Fulvous Whistling Duck's chant is
in the marsh a thousandfold.

In this timeless avifauna
of the Texas coastal plains
which in summer is a sauna,
fall and winter's bird's domain.

Red Tailed Hawks, Northern Harriers
swoop Gulf of Mexico's drainboard,
they soar but ducks are warier
of the Bald Eagle, here he lords.

Watched, a four foot Great Blue Heron
scarfs a yard long watersnake,
his long bill won't bother tearin'
when he sees me off he takes.

All the bayous and the rivers
wend to wet this spongelike marsh,
as a refuge it delivers
but to man this place was harsh.

Atakapa once claimed this bay
lived on seafood discarding shells,
raised villages aloft this way
staying high in season's swells.

Mosquitos swarm lecherous clouds
all but four months of the year,
in cooling wind men are allowed
to enjoy the beauty here.

As scores of Butterflies sift through
tallgrass for nectared flowers,
legions of Dragonfly revue
biplane size respected power.

Alligators bask on the shores
of dark bayous and canals,
the setting recalls dinosaurs
Pterodactyls, skies pastel.

Sandpipers, Vultures, Sandhill Cranes,
Ducks, Geese, Swan, Egret and Loon,
Storks, Rails, Warblers, daylight wanes
I take flight at the advent of moon.

Flat terrain I claim to abhor,
a state that's my pen's whipping post,
cool weather compels I explore
an enchanting South Texas Coast.

"Happy people have no history" - French Proverb

Corinne
Member Ascendant

since 1999-10-28

Posts 5167
state of confusion

1 posted 2001-10-29 06:59 PM

This is a beautiful portrait, RS!

Cor

Interloper

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-11-06

Posts 8369
Deep in the heart

2 posted 2001-10-29 07:01 PM

Well described my friend

The Lady of Shallot
Senior Member

since 2001-10-03

Posts 818
USA

3 posted 2001-10-29 07:04 PM

This is a poetic journey through a geographical wonderland and I am amazed.
Very nice work!

-befriend yourself and you will never be alone-

Magnus

Member Laureate

since 2001-10-10

Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA

4 posted 2001-10-29 07:06 PM

having transplated from Tejas....I know this
well and you have described it perfectly.

rwood
Member Elite

since 2000-02-29

Posts 3793
Tennessee

5 posted 2001-10-29 09:05 PM

With all the bells and whistles I commend a perfect picture. I once drifted there and know that you brought it all back to me. You are a constant portal of vision.

Sincerely,
Regina

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

6 posted 2001-10-29 09:41 PM

"Seaside Goldenrod and Bluestem
teeter whispering tete-a-tete
in a bright and windy autumn
sounds mix with Switchgrass castanets"

You transported me to the coastal plains with this opening, and I enjoyed every second of my trip. Your imagery is captivating, and I could hear eagle wings beating, grasses whispering secrets of the past, and the cry of the loon in the marshes.
Awesome. I will save and savor this long after today's sunset.

[This message has been edited by Midnitesun (edited 10-29-2001).]

SpitFire
Member Elite

since 2000-04-19

Posts 2396

7 posted 2001-10-29 10:00 PM

~Thank you for sharing these lines, gosh, each word is flitting with life. What an adventure you've taken this tired and gray mind out on. Respite at it's finest. *Peace.

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

8 posted 2001-10-30 01:06 AM

Ah...I knew you could find something nice to say about Texas and you sure did! What a journey you took us on there, and all the bird, my, best look up at all times!

Just kidding! This was wonderful Richard as usual you create beautiful visuals with your words.

Startime
Member Ascendant

since 2000-10-03

Posts 5918
Canada

9 posted 2001-10-30 09:49 AM

An absolutely stunning vision you have woven. I felt myself transported through your words. Well done.

Love I leave with you whether it is in your life now or yet the essense of your dreams.

Accordionmaid
Member

since 2001-10-28

Posts 153
MA/USA

10 posted 2001-10-30 10:00 AM

You make this place sound appealing.

Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius

since 2000-10-09

Posts 13989

11 posted 2001-10-30 11:09 AM

OK that's it. I wanna be in Texas realllllyyy bad now! They say good things come to those who wait.......I'm a waitin!!
Beautiful write RSW

On the wings of words our spirits fly....and our souls are free.
~Me~

(I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance~Garth)

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

12 posted 2001-10-30 03:34 PM

I enjoyed the travel in your words, Richard.

Nightshade

Member Patricius

since 2001-08-31

Posts 13962
just out of reach

13 posted 2001-10-30 03:38 PM

Gee, I have never been to Texas, but you certainly have given an awesome description. Thankyou, Chris

Life is not measured by breaths you take, but by moments that take your breath away.

Butterflies_dont_cry
Member Elite

since 2000-03-06

Posts 3733
Michigan

14 posted 2001-10-30 09:02 PM

RS Thank you for this taste of Texas...a beautiful view!!

[This message has been edited by Butterflies_dont_cry (edited 10-30-2001).]

Mother_Earth
Senior Member

since 2000-11-20

Posts 1370
1/2 year Texas & 1/2 year Michigan

15 posted 2001-10-30 09:04 PM

RSWells, we are almost ready to start the yearly trip to MY winter home in Texas and you are so right! There is so much to see on the coast and after all these years, we still haven't seen it all but I will keep looking. Lovely pictures in words. Thanks for sharing.

Janet Marie
Member Laureate

since 2000-01-22

Posts 18554

16 posted 2001-10-30 09:46 PM

Im playing catch up again...day late and dollar short

Let me on this thread to say your imagery is awesome poet sir...

"Seaside Goldenrod and Bluestem
teeter whispering tete-a-tete
in a bright and windy autumn
sounds mix with Switchgrass castanets."

How cool is that..."Switchgrass castanets"
VERY COOL

"Flat terrain I claim to abhor,
a state that's my pen's whipping post,
cool weather compels I explore
an enchanting South Texas Coast."

I do so reading your love-hate relationship with this state your in...
seems to be the Yin/Yang of your muse.

This distance has shown how the road remains alone
Now I'm looking in my life ... for a truth that is my own.

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

17 posted 2001-10-31 11:53 AM

What a beautiful picture you've painted with your pen. *S* And you're right... for so much of the year, Texas is synonymous with hell... but those who survive the heat are well rewarded... for fleeting moments. *S* Great work!

A Whisper's Caress
Senior Member

since 2000-11-03

Posts 791
on the horizon of a fairytale

18 posted 2001-10-31 12:07 PM

RS, I am in North Texas and love the scene you have painted. Very nicely done.

Look into the eyes of a man and
you will find the soul of the woman
who loves him...

Glenn Logan
Member

since 2001-10-10

Posts 111
Virginia

19 posted 2001-10-31 12:22 PM

Beautiful poem! I much enjoyed the evocation of the Texas marsh. I grew up near a salt marsh (the vast "Meadows" of New Jersey), and found myself reminded of much there that has given me joy. I particularly liked your Great Blue Heron, a bird that is also found here in Virginia, where I now live. It's one of my favorites.

Glenn Logan

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