Tuesday, September 06, 2016

Time, That Moving Thing

Even though Autumn is not yet here, I can almost see her in the angle of the sun and the smell of the air on the wind, and as I have become an elder, Autumn makes me think of that constant drum beat of time.  It makes me think of cycles, beginnings, and mostly endings.  I become nostalgic knowing my days are numbered and there will be things I will not be around to see; some I am glad I will miss but many I will be sad to miss.  I look to other bloggers and friends to see how they adapt to this inevitable facing of big change and gain comfort from them as I take it one day at a time.



“I sit beside the fire and think
Of all that I have seen
Of meadow flowers and butterflies
In summers that have been

Of yellow leaves and gossamer
In autumns that there were
With morning mist and silver sun
And wind upon my hair

I sit beside the fire and think
Of how the world will be
When winter comes without a spring
That I shall ever see

For still there are so many things
That I have never seen
In every wood in every spring
There is a different green

I sit beside the fire and think
Of people long ago
And people that will see a world
That I shall never know

But all the while I sit and think
Of times there were before
I listen for returning feet
And voices at the door”
― J.R.R. Tolkien


22 comments:

  1. I recognized that poem but didn't know from where, until I saw the author. I love autumn, both in weather and in life. I'm moving into winter but find it comforting somehow. :-)

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  2. I knew Tolkien was a master of linguistics and an accomplished writer (love the Trilogy) but hadn't realized he wrote poetry. Thanks for sharing that.

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  3. taking it one day at a time is key I think. I don't cast my gaze to the future so much, just try to make every day count.

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  4. Tolkien wrote poetry? I had no idea. I, too, am starting to feel increasingly mortal as I age and my priorities are starting to change. Many things that once seemed important no goner seem so.

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  5. Autumn, time of wonder, as in life.

    Our oldest granddaughter started school today, such excitement for her, anxiety for her family. Her face spoke of promise and potential. So far today, I am glad to have lived to see it. Then my husband mentioned her graduation and whether we'd live to see that. I can't live like that though. I rejoice in this day. Tomorrow must take care of itself.

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  6. There is nothing better than a day of seeing something I have never seen. Again this is a beautiful post of pictures and poetry.

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  7. Time is passing, and yet i see there is so much still to be done.

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  8. That sunset picture is gorgeous -- even though it is a kind of ending -- or at least a transition.

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  9. Lovely sunset! Fall is my favorite season. I miss the color varieties we had in the Great Lakes area, especially what maple trees provide. News reported drought has affected New England's usual spectacular fall show -- that as leaves begin to turn they'll simply drop off the trees rather than klinging a bit. I think my pondering ilife tends to occur more in winter, or did when I lived in snow country and became impatient for spring, but much less extreme seasonal differences here in Southern California don't so readily send my thoughts in that direction. Generally, anything, anytime might trigger me to consider my life and future, but only if I'm really ill does it occur to me to wonder if this is it. Otherwise, i just take each day as it comes, living as though days will continue well into an unknown future. I also recognize I may not awaken tomorrow but give littlethought to that fact.

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  10. Yes, these can be bittersweet times, with the emphasis on sweet with just a hint of bitter.

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  11. I love that last photo too and the Tolkien poem really speaks to right now. Sigh...

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  12. Yes, I try not to think about the fact that there's only so much time left. I stay in the Now as much as I can. Most of the time I do pretty well at it too. Even when I am cleaning things out. Maybe lightening my load makes it easier.

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  13. What a beautiful poem, photo, and post.
    There is so much that I want to see, experience, before I go into the winter of my life.

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  14. I try not to think or plan for tomorrows but I appreciate the todays that I have.

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  15. It is a time for nostalgia on many counts

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  16. Love your sharing
    and the poem...

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  17. Yes, immortality...my journals keep me alive. LOL They's been in a show...all of their own actually, and developed quite a following. It would be nice if they could find a local home that wasn't mine.

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  18. I'm glad that I have descendants, one in particular who is very much like me, who will carry my kind of consciousness into the future. I will sleep peacefully.

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  19. What a beautiful photo of the day's ending. Bob and I bought a new mattress yesterday. The salesman told us it has a 20 year warranty. Bob and I burst out laughing! I think you do need a sense of humor about aging. I try to live for today - who knows what tomorrow will bring?

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  20. All of our days are numbered, Tabor. And when the call comes, it doesn't come chronologically, so yeah, living 'one day at a time' is the right philosophy. Thanks for this lovely reminder :)

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  21. Ha! I thought you wrote that until I came to the end. Stanza three gave me a chill.

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  22. I was here n read, n cut off by the machine timer last time! I love that painting! i'm partial to sunsets, as you know.

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Take your time...take a deep breath...then hit me with your best shot.