526. Heat lingers as days are still long; early mornings are cool while autumn is still young. ~Po Chu-i, Chinese poet who lived from 772-864 during the Tang Dynasty

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how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any–lifted from the no
of all nothing–human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)


~Excerpt from i thank you God for most this amazing… (65)

by e.e. cummings, a poet whose peculiar syntax
and lack of or strange use of punctuation
conjures up as lasting and as memorable
images as this photo

Screen shot 2014-10-22 at 10.39.37 PM

I think it curious when I read another’s perfect description of my current reality, especially when it is one like Po Chu-i’s that was written so long ago and so far away from where I am. When it happens, I can’t help but wonder what the writer was like, what he was doing when not writing poetry, and what the landscape looked like that inspired his thoughts and rhymes. Was he young like the autumn of which he spoke, or was he like me, one who has weathered many an autumn. I also  wonder if in China today the heat lingers again in Lady Autumn’s infancy. It’s certainly lingering hear in Texas in the 21st century. However, I’m not complaining because for some time now our early morns have been deliciously cool as have been the evenings that draw the days to an end. So cool in fact was it again this morning that after last night’s watering, droplets yet bejeweled the rose in the photo. That in and of itself is cause for thanksgiving since it wasn’t too long ago that all such surface water would have evaporated before dawn’s first light brushed away night’s obscurity. Actually, despite the lingering heat, this fall has been filled with more than a fair measure of splendor, a smattering of its usual intimations of holy mysteries, and now the first expected touches of nature’s autumnal poetry have been penned. Speaking of poetry, some poets like e.e. cummings write lines that challenge easy interpretation, but often poetry which defies easy understanding endures through the ages because the words and thoughts resonate in the deepest chambers of the human heart. Perhaps that’s why today I’m captivated by cumming’s poetic imagination as well as nature’s magical images and the Lord’s amazing genius.

The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Job 33:4   ✝

24 thoughts on “526. Heat lingers as days are still long; early mornings are cool while autumn is still young. ~Po Chu-i, Chinese poet who lived from 772-864 during the Tang Dynasty”

    • Thank you, David. All of Creation speaks to the Lord’s genius, and a photo is a way of remembering that I think.
      What is the old saying? “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Blessings to you too, N 🙂 ❤

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  2. Such a pretty image—and as I read Po Chu-i’s reflection, I thought the same thing as you—how much over the ages, we all think, wonder and observe so many of the same things—separated by centuries, cultures, etc—yet we are so so similar in our causal thoughts of life—
    and yes, deliciously cool mornings!!
    Oh happy Fall!!!
    much love Natalie—Julie

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  3. Beautiful sweet Natalie! I always wonder that too about the writer! I think when we read another’s words we are wooed and somehow fall in love with the soul of the author never meeting them but transfixed nevertheless by their words! I think! I feel that way about your words they are like a whisper of love and caring falling on my weary soul! Much love to you! 💗💗

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    • I’m so glad you wonder about such things too, Michelle. And I love this: we are wooed and somehow fall in love with the soul of the author never meeting them but transfixed nevertheless by their words! It is oh so true. I’m so honored that you feel that way about my words and am so glad they fall on your weary soul like a whisper of love and caring! What a lovely, lovely thing to say. You are so very sweet and kind, my friend. Love and hugs, N 🙂 ❤

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    • Thank you. I’m glad we are seeing some cooler weather too, oh so glad. Oh your son is soooooooooo right, July and August are just nasty hot and I hate it. I grew up in Southern California, and after we moved here, mom kept saying, “Oh you’ll get used to it.” But I’ve been here 50+ years now and I am still NOT used to it not will I ever be. But I married a died in the wool Texan, and he says he’ll never live anywhere else. So I whine and threaten to run away from home every July and August. Blessings and hugs, N 🙂 ❤

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  7. Wow, now that is some peculiar syntax. I haven’t read much of E.E. Cummings, and I had no idea that she wrote so differently. I had read that she was criticized for her form and all, but I didn’t really know why. Good for her for writing outside the box.
    This photo is spectacular N. Where did you find it? Or did you take this photo?
    Lovely to hear about the fresh autumn mornings and evenings you’ve been having. We finally got a little bit of rain, and our hot weather has once again turned cold. I was even wearing jeans and a light jacket today (whereas Monday I was in shorts and a light tank or a summer dress).
    Blessings MN.
    🙂 ❤

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    • Indeed it is and when I was in school I wasn’t as enamored with his poetry as I am some of it now. I’m sure he was criticized greatly for such a variation from standard forms especially during his era. I had used all my photos like this in other posts so I went out and found this one on Pinterest. I think its the colors of the rose that make the capture so spectacular. I’ve had to wear long pants and warmer shirts a couple of times but I’m back to my shorts and t-shirts. We’re supposed to be in the low 90’s this weekend but next week
      we’ll be back into some cooler temps again. I’m so glad you got some rain and hope we get some here soon. Hugs and blessings to you too, Staci! 🙂 ❤

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  9. Natalie, reading your words, for me, is akin to picking up a book that you simply can’t put down. Your words, the way you lay them out and position them, how your heart and your pondering goes into each sentence. Huge Love, Light, Hugs & Kisses To You! ❤ ❤ ❤ Kimberly

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  10. Thank you for sharing this beautiful post and a poem by one of my favorite poets of Ancient times… We are of the same thread as far as our poets of choice it would seem. Thank you for being beautiful you and sharing the beautiful things that your do! 🙂

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