Imaginary Friend
Shadows fall through water.
I say to the you in my mind:
We are at October. For you
it’s heavy with autumn. Here,
Spring is giving us, again,
increasing light.
But, for now,
the light is filtered.
It has been raining
on the clouded river
towards the end of the day.
Shadows increasingly fall.
Where are you at present?
Traversing autumn
while I murmur of spring,
do you perchance also
watch light and shadow
rise and fall through a river?
Are you even alive any more,
traveller? Where do you now
wander, and why?
I watch the River Tweed
and think of the Guadalupe
where once we lingered.
It was almost Beltane
(in April). I had two that year:
one there, one here. Now
as Beltane looms again
in October, I am doubly alone.
I think of you, and I wonder.
Photo by Glenn Claire on Unsplash
This picture is of neither the Tweed nor the Guadalupe, but Rock River in Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, USA. However, the image suits the poem.
Note: There are two Tweed Rivers (that I know about). Mine is in Australia, not Scotland.
Written in response to Weekly Scribblings #90: October at Poets and Storytellers United.
I'm being literal, Rosemary, this is also heavy. I've been in Aus and NZ in December and January, South America also in November and December. Those are the best times.
ReplyDeleteIf and when Beltane is celebrated it will be around May Day or Easter. Also the Eastern States more so than the rest of U.S.
..
Well yes, but it is not just in the daytime. As Wikipedia says:
DeleteNeopagans usually celebrate Beltane on 30 April – 1 May in the Northern Hemisphere and 31 October – 1 November in the Southern Hemisphere, beginning and ending at sunset.
(I was in Lamesa, Texas for Beltane in 2006. And again back here for it six months later.)
So you like warm weather! So do I.
I would love to see Peru in October. It goes through the inverse of the seasonal cycle where I am too.
ReplyDeleteI've seen it in (its and my) autumn, and it was very good then.
DeleteWondering about the missing is an exercise in poignancy that often results in poetry.
ReplyDeleteIndeed yes.
DeleteSomething about this one brings tears to my eyes. It's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you; I'm pleased it moved you.
DeleteI have relatives who live on the Rock River in Illinois! It is always enigma to me that the land "down under" is celebrating spring when I am basking in October!
ReplyDeleteWell, we're doing a bit of basking here, too, as the days get nice and warm.
Delete"Autumn loneliness" well penned
ReplyDeleteHappy Wednesday
Much💜love
Thanks Gillena, same to you.
DeleteThis could be its own poem:
ReplyDelete“while I murmur of spring,
do you perchance also
watch light and shadow
rise and fall through a river”
That photo is beautiful.
*Smile.*
DeleteMoments, specific locations (such as rivers, trees, holidays) remind us of those who we were once close - this poem does a wonderful job with the longing for, the wondering where such a past loved one might be...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Margaret.
DeleteLooking at old photos makes me feel that way, too. I love these thoughts that filter through your mind.
ReplyDeleteYes, I didn't think I had anything to write for this prompt, and suddenly all this bubbled up from the subconscious!
DeleteThere is such a warm longing in this one, and I like that very much. I love that speaks of loving both spring and autumn, in October. And I'm jealous of the thought of experiencing two Beltanes. How wondrous that must be.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, that same year I didn't get to experience my favourite, Samhain.
DeleteOctober from your perspective feels lovely 'traversing autumn while I murmur of spring' ~ I have experienced your land in an October and yearn to journey back.
ReplyDeleteIf you ever do, make sure to take in Northern Rivers, NSW, and come stay with me a few days!
Delete"shadows fall through water" - so lovely.
ReplyDeleteI am traversing Autumn in New York.
I hope it looks and feels good there.
Delete