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Asters and Goldenrod

8/8/2018

10 Comments

 
Asters and golden-rod, yellow and blue,
Tulips and violets long ago fled;
Summer with roses and lilies is dead;
Whence, in the year's old age, came you,
In pomp of purple and golden hue? 
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"Out of the Summer's heart we came,
Born of her lifelong ardor and glow
In the sky above and the ground below;
Her drenching showers and her solar flame;
​Till, just as she died, she spoke our name.
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"Strangers and exiles in disguise,
Through all the summer we've stood alone,
Our worth unguessed, unprized, and unknown,
Mere rough, rank weeds to men's untaught eyes,
​ For the world to trample, neglect, despise. 
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"But patient and silent we grew and grew,
Drinking the noontide's liquid gold,
Drinking the colors the raindrops hold,
The tints that sparkle in morning's dew,
​And night's deep azure, when stars shine through. 
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"We drank till our life could hold no more
The secrets gorging our crystal blood,
The splendors swelling each bursting bud,
Drawn from the deep earth's dazzling store,
​Or rainbows bending creation o'er. 
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"And then in a whisper the Summer said: '
My lowly children, I die to-day.
Put on your purple and gold array,
And wave in glory above my head,
​Confessed and royal, when I am dead.' 
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"One glowing kiss, and the Summer died;
But, thrilled at the touch, and the words she spoke,
From all our being the splendor broke,
And field and forest and rough roadside
​Stood robed in more than imperial pride. 
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"And that is our story, and whence we came:
All summer you slighted us, trod us down,
But we knew in the day of our robe and crown
Men then would prize us, and own our claim,
​And boast that all summer they'd known our name." 
                                                                                      ~George Lansing Taylor
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10 Comments
ELIZA link
8/8/2018 09:52:52 am

Beautiful photos and a nice, though slightly wistful, poem to go with them. With many plants ripening with seed and fruit, the writing is on the wall. I wish summer would last longer!

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Joanna link
8/8/2018 12:25:17 pm

I know, it's so hard to believe that the end is almost here! But the fields really do seem to be putting on a grand finale and we'll enjoy it while we can :)

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Veleria
8/8/2018 01:40:27 pm

What a lovely poem a d beautiful. Thank you for sharing. I always enjoy your site.

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Joanna link
8/8/2018 05:15:54 pm

I'm glad you liked it! It truly is a beautiful poem and one that I will always remember when the goldenrod is in bloom :)

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donna
8/8/2018 04:17:24 pm

I absolutely love your garden. Since moving into a retirement apartment (which I absolutely love) I miss being able to plant and reap the rewards. Your blog gives me a great dose of pleasure.

Thanks you.

Reply
Joanna link
8/8/2018 05:18:43 pm

Thank you :) It always makes me happy to hear that my garden gives others pleasure too!

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Cindy Coghill link
8/10/2018 08:27:06 am

What a lovely poem. Thank you for sharing it with us. I've never heard it before.

Reply
Joanna link
8/10/2018 01:40:50 pm

I'm glad you enjoyed it! :)

Reply
Jason link
8/11/2018 11:51:45 am

One of nature's perfect flower combinations.

Reply
Joanna link
8/11/2018 09:48:44 pm

Yes indeed!

Reply



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    ​I am a passionate gardener and seed-saver, who also enjoys playing the violin and accordion, running, spending time with my 4 golden retrievers, keeping chickens, photography, and reading. ​
    ​

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