September Leaves

Bury me beneath the September leaves
I won't mind the cutting cold of the breeze
Leave me there till the frost quiets the trees
I can feel the fall coming on....

--Katie Miller, "September Leaves"

I will take what joy I can....

I harvested the basil today.



This is what is known as a Very Good Day in Celia-World.



Then I made five batches of pesto.



Then Jae and I made pesto cheesecake. We don't get to eat it til tomorrow. This is what is known as a Minor Agony in Celia-World.

Autumn Day, by Rainier Maria Rilke

Lord: it is time. The huge summer has gone by.
Now overlap the sundials with your shadows,
and on the meadows let the wind go free.

Command the fruits to swell on tree and vine;
grant them a few more warm transparent days,
urge them on to fulfillment then, and press
the final sweetness into the heavy wine.

Whoever has no house now, will never have one.
Whoever is alone will stay alone,
will sit, read, write long letters through the
evening,
and wander the boulevards, up and down,
restlessly, while the dry leaves are blowing.


Translated by Stephen Mitchell,
"The Selected Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke" (Random House)

Other translations of this poem can be found here.

***

Life'll kill ya.

Moonshadow

Monlight's so bright tonight the clouds are lit. Dogs have been barking all day. I've put on a mix of Cheryl Wheeler, Neko Case, Jaia Suri, Cindy Kallett to evoke some peace. Will eat the last of the Guinness Chocolate Cake.

Sunday, I shall learn (and disseminate!) the Secrets of Allentown.