The Secret---now with photo

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Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

0 posted 2002-10-19 04:14 PM

The Secret

I was wishing
for the long summer twilight time
and the moon falling into the sea
and you and me with toes dangling
into the sureness of a youthful frolic.

But, it was no longer summer
and the air was quickly cooling
as I stood at the top of the mountain
counting the ridges
like rounded steps down,
down into a hazy sea,
thinking of all that was lost.

Then

across the hill
that fell away beside me
into a river
with alder tracing its
curving path
I found something,
perfect with its nudging truth
out of my longing,

I found Fall.

It was lit with sunshine
and covered in a coat
of many colors and textures,
then staked to the ground
by yucca spikes
that stood erect
in their blooming hold on death
and rebirth.

There was copper and rust,
burnt orange and umber,
all sown together by the plume
of the gray squirrels tail
that darted back and forth
like a living needle.

I could smell the creosote
where the fragrant ground leaked,
and sage in soft dusty green
gave reverence to the air
in a prayer for continuance
that I could hear echo
in my heart.

As I stood there
and felt like crying for something,
something that summer stole from me
and would not give back,
something that would never be the same again,
Fall covered me with her quilt
so that I would understand
how life changes for a reason
and time spreads
its seeds upon the ground to wait.

It whispered across the hill,
its breath as fragrant as
the sweet peas of early spring,

it whispered this secret to me,

now is really all there is,
and now it is Fall.
--------
repost from 00

[This message has been edited by Martie (10-20-2002 08:57 PM).]

Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius

since 2000-10-09

Posts 13989

1 posted 2002-10-19 04:17 PM

Martie, I am ecstatic that you reposted this as I had not seen it and surely would hate to miss such a wonderful and insightful write. As always dear lady, your words do touch.

If I have touched one heart through my words, then I have acheived my dream...

Mistletoe Angel

Member Empyrean

since 2000-12-17

Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon

2 posted 2002-10-19 04:19 PM

(smiles) Awwwwwwww, this is soooooo precious, sweet friend, I'm so happy you've re-posted this so I can see the gorgeous vision of fall in California you hold dear to your heart! (kiss on cheek) I just love that vision of watching the colors rush like the gray squirrel, yay, this is a keeper, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Martie, thank you for sharing!

May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

"Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..."

Shakira

Goodknight
Member Elite

since 2002-06-15

Posts 2386
Ohio, USA

3 posted 2002-10-19 04:27 PM

Martie - your poetry surrounds me with the gifts of seasons - lovely and I loved it - Paul

RSWells
Member Elite

since 2001-06-17

Posts 2533

4 posted 2002-10-19 04:36 PM

A beautiful tribute to my favorite season and an acclamation from a maturing writer and individual.

WhileIWasGone
Member

since 2002-07-18

Posts 486

5 posted 2002-10-19 05:04 PM

This is so Beautiful Martie...Enjoyed very much.

H.

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean

since 2002-08-27

Posts 40215
Realms of Light

6 posted 2002-10-19 05:58 PM

Martie, this was one secret that needed to be shared--again! I'm so pleased that you reposted this beauty! This is impressive writing and I am adding this thread to the treasured tapestry of poetry in my library. You truly are a gifted writer.

Linda

Bill Charles
Member Patricius

since 2000-07-11

Posts 10619
highways, & byways, for now

7 posted 2002-10-19 06:00 PM

Martie - I've never seen fall in the desert. If it's as you've described I look forward to it...

BC

Magnus

Member Laureate

since 2001-10-10

Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA

8 posted 2002-10-19 06:27 PM

Surely...the secret is all that you have
seen and shared with us today in this poem
of elegant words...thank you dear heart...

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

9 posted 2002-10-19 10:36 PM

...It was lit with sunshine
and covered in a coat
of many colors and textures,
then staked to the ground
by yucca spikes
that stood erect
in their blooming hold on death
and rebirth...

I walk with you in gentle climb
and feel the sun in warm of shine
I hold your hand and in heart's beat...
feel the grains beneath our feet...

here you go my friend...

Auguste

Member Elite

since 2000-02-16

Posts 3953
By the sea

10 posted 2002-10-19 10:38 PM

Martie, I consider this not only one of your best, but also one your mostly lovely. The imagery is superb...loved the picture, by the way.

*hugs*

The stars will shine when I am gone,
the earth will turn on as before,
the gulls, still race along the shore,
the morning star, still kiss the dawn

S Arthur Grey
Senior Member

since 2001-03-19

Posts 719
woven by a poet's loom

11 posted 2002-10-19 10:45 PM

I would have missed this in '00.
Thanks for reposting.
Very nice, you took me there.

garysgirl

Member Laureate

since 2002-09-29

Posts 19237
Florida, USA

12 posted 2002-10-19 11:12 PM

Martie, I also thank you for reposting this beautiful poem of yours. Since I'm new here, I would love for you to repost more of your beautiful poetry from the past. I love reading poems written like this. I wish I would learn to write this way. Thanks for sharing.
Love To All,
Ethel

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

13 posted 2002-10-19 11:18 PM

it whispered this secret to me,

now is really all there is,
and now it is Fall.
-------------------------------------------
OH MARTIE...is all I can manage just now!
WOW!! The images this evokes!
~Hugs sweet poetess~

VAS
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-11-16

Posts 7450
Oregon

14 posted 2002-10-20 12:20 PM

Absolutely exquisite, I wish I was capable of copying this with the pic, it's so superb, so gorgeous and you have received a wonderful wisdom in the secret you've been given.

Lovely!

Whether on the shoal or on the shore,
I'll seek the lighthouse evermore.

Nightshade

Member Patricius

since 2001-08-31

Posts 13962
just out of reach

15 posted 2002-10-20 12:37 PM

Martie - this is truly beautiful and a pleasure to read. Chris

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

Ivy Rose
Senior Member

since 2001-12-29

Posts 1300
MA, USA

16 posted 2002-10-20 01:39 PM

What a joy this poem is!!! The power and majesty of the Fall brought to life by your words. ***Ivy Rose

ShadowRider
Senior Member

since 2001-07-14

Posts 1038
USA

17 posted 2002-10-20 08:47 PM

Hmm...what i want to know is: who is the cutie
with the warm endearing smile, on the rock?
~McWink~
I think, of all the passing of Life's Season-type poems i have read, this stands up extremely well in so many ways: the description, the personal angst, the acceptance
of what HAS to be, and the enjoyment of what WILL be.
Jeff

Bill Charles
Member Patricius

since 2000-07-11

Posts 10619
highways, & byways, for now

18 posted 2002-10-20 10:03 PM

Martie - yes, life changes and one wonders. I love the mountains, peaceful, serene, and inspiring. I can see how beautiful they are in your photo...

BC

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