Summer's Last Rose

“Live each season as it passes, breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.” - Thoreau

amidst fading murmurs of a season's final refrain

i took one more fermenting sip

for 'twas summer's last rose

Author's Note

“Sometimes, in a summer morning, having taken my accustomed bath, I sat in my sunny doorway from sunrise till noon, rapt in a revery, amidst the pines and hickories and sumacs, in undisturbed solitude and stillness, while the birds sing around or flitted noiseless through the house, until by the sun falling in at my west window, or the noise of some traveler's wagon on the distant highway, I was reminded of the lapse of time. I grew in those seasons like corn in the night, and they were far better than any work of the hands would have been. They were not time subtracted from my life, but so much over and above my usual allowance. I realized what the Orientals mean by contemplation and the forsaking of works. For the most part, I minded not how the hours went. The day advanced as if to light some work of mine; it was morning, and lo, now it is evening, and nothing memorable is accomplished.” - Thoreau

Reviews

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Pete.. there are days when Nature is a Retreat with the last Rose of Summer. Yesterday a black and white Chickadee visited our Feeder outside the Kitchen Window. It is Rare to see them, so it is a Special day, in Deed. Thoreau was certainly a Naturalist.. much like you. Softly, Pat

[Pete]

you were indeed blessed with an unexpected visit. i felt a sadness yesterday as i passed by that bush with its last rose when at the beginning of the season it was falling over 'neath the weight of so many. it costs nothing to open our eyes as to what is around us.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

there is sadness towards summer ending...but also a respectful goodbye.

nicely done, Pete,
j.

[Pete]

for sure ,,,

[Davidgeo]

I love the sun. I always miss it when it isn't in season. So do my plants, for some reason?

[Pete]

what would life be without seasons?

[Stella Armour]

This is so beautiful Pete, the idea of summer fermenting into autumn is like the ripening and then the fall of apples from the bough.
Summer's last rose adds to the melancholy felt .
i did enjoy so much emotion in the brevity of these words.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Stella .. I 💗 love your review of Pete’s Poem. Your words are Sweet as the 🎶 Music I of a Harp.. as Summer mellows into Autumn. gently, Pat

[Stella Armour]

Hello Pat, sometimes you just read a few words that fill you with an unexpected emotion, and all this lovely autumnal imagery painted such a lovely picture in my mind .... thank you so much for your comment on my review :)

[Pete]

thank you for sharing ladies. the season may be fleeting but hopefully pleasant memories hold on.

[MsJewel]

The passing of summer is always a bit sad for me. Your words are simple and beautiful. Enjoyed very much :) Julie

[Pete]

i too felt a sadness yesterday when i saw it and it played upon my soul, begging for a write.

[John the Baptist]

Made me think of one of Thomas Moore's Irish Melodies.

[Pete]

doesn't surprise me a bit.

[Kelly Scheppers]

A seasons final refrain is always a melancholy one for me. You've penned this so eloquently, Pete. What's not to love?

[Pete]

while walking milo down by the old mill this afternoon I noticed a single rose left on a bush that at the beginning of summer was flopping over with the weight of a plethora of them. finished it in my head while riding my bike before dark. thank you for sharing kelly.

[Kelly Scheppers]

You are such a prolific writer, very diverse in style. It's a pleasure to know you, my friend!