Late Harvest

-
after Rilke's Herbsttag

by Jeredith Merrin


Time, it is time.
Summer has been
long-stretched-out, full.
Go ahead, Fall:
shrink down the days
and sugar the grapes
for late-harvest wine.

Anyone still unknown
to herself will stay,
probably, that way.
Anyone unlinked by love
will be love-
left-out now—waking,
mind-pacing
up and down
up and down,
restless as leaf-bits
and papers in the street.




I believe this will be the last poem and writing I post in a while. Perhaps forever. Who knows. With the rest of the stuff in my life that needs to get done, writing and blogging are becoming yet another task to complete, and not a respite.

I have so enjoyed meeting all of you and hearing your voices in the comments, and you may still see me lurking around some rainy Sunday afternoons. Best of life to you all and wishes for all of its blessings to you and yours. I'll be looking for you further on down the road.

Comments

  1. Elizabeth SeaverOctober 16, 2009 at 4:05 AM

    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

    ReplyDelete
  2. SilliyakOctober 16, 2009 at 6:49 AM

    Elizabeth beat me to it. At least stop by and comment occasionally ?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Viewtiful_JustinOctober 16, 2009 at 8:45 AM

    That makes me really sad. Your daily poem has been a birght spot in my otherwise shitty day surprisingly often.

    Boo! But do what you have to do, I guess. There are certainly times I wish I could stop blogging.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sarah AnneOctober 16, 2009 at 2:30 PM

    Sad day! Don't stay away forever. Please?

    ReplyDelete
  5. dsOctober 16, 2009 at 3:30 PM

    This is such a beautiful, Rilkean poem. Such a beautiful tree. Such a sad post. I will miss you. As Georgie says, Please don't stay away forever.

    ReplyDelete
  6. The BugOctober 16, 2009 at 4:31 PM

    I'll still be here if (when!) you come back!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Karen SchlesingerOctober 16, 2009 at 7:56 PM

    Oh NO! Please don't stop writing...I so look forward to your posts. Scale it back to at least once a week, but please don't stop writing. You have given me an education in writing and poetry that no college class ever did. Thank you. We love you! Come back soon.

    ReplyDelete
  8. English RiderOctober 17, 2009 at 4:08 PM

    Your blog was one of the first that I visited and I have truly appreciated your choice of poems and images, but most of all the glimpses of your occasional original writings. Stepping away but leaving the door open...whatever is right for you, must be right.

    ReplyDelete
  9. RoseOctober 18, 2009 at 12:37 PM

    Oh no I'm so sad. I loved getting poetry in my life from your blog. Hope it's good stuff that's happening to you and your family. Will definitely miss you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. OwenOctober 18, 2009 at 6:12 PM

    Dear Distracted,
    After stumbling on your blog around the time it became a blog of note, I've been enjoying your poetry selections and other writings immensely... maybe if you only posted once a month or so it wouldn't seem like a chore ? Well, whatever works for you, but I would be truly sorry to see this delicious source of fresh water dry up forever. If you do come back from time to time, wonderful, and if not, well, thank you so much for all the joy and light that came shining out of this page...

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousOctober 19, 2009 at 2:14 AM

    I'm really sad too. I have enjoyed your quiet blog, mostly poems and photos, really enjoyed. Thanks so much anyway and thanks so much for the job you do. Huge respect...

    Arohanui
    Ros

    ReplyDelete
  12. Annie CoeOctober 19, 2009 at 6:29 AM

    I feel like I just lost a good friend. I do understand what you mean though and I honor your wish for more time, but please stay in touch. I will miss you more than you know.I wish you much love and blessings in your life. Love and hugs for always. I won't forget you. XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousOctober 19, 2009 at 8:40 AM

    thank you for all that you have shared...you have made me remember how beautiful and touching poems can be... i do pray you return from your haitus 1 day, if not, soon.

    Grace - Singapore

    ReplyDelete
  14. SharonOctober 19, 2009 at 4:38 PM

    I await your return. Thank you for sharing these beautiful treasures. I hope that whatever is filling your life is wrapped in joy.

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownOctober 20, 2009 at 6:13 AM

    Dear Distracted - It has been such a thrill to connect with you way over on the other side of the world (where magpies seriously rule!). Just amazing. I look forward to that first rainy Sunday in Cin City. Keep dancing. xx

    ReplyDelete
  16. Confucius CatOctober 22, 2009 at 4:52 PM

    Great photos.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Deanna Bland Hiott PhD, MSN, RNOctober 23, 2009 at 8:52 PM

    I hardly know what to say. I will miss you...I'm sure I will continue to peer at my dashboard whenever I am on to see you. I wish you well...kindred spirit...I wish you all of life's best. Thank you for the beauty you have shared. Hopefully after a spell you will take up the pen again under no pressure but to "think out loud." God bless you; till it rains....

    ReplyDelete
  18. UnknownOctober 24, 2009 at 6:31 PM

    Well, I am really missing you already....I know it has only been a week...well..it's just that there are very few voices, real voices that I enjoy reading...tons of photos, very talented posters and lots of images that catch my eye, but few people that I really listen to...smiles.

    ReplyDelete
  19. V-GrrrlOctober 25, 2009 at 6:29 AM

    I will catch you later. There is an ebb and tide to blogging and sometimes our lives and our minds demand it be set aside. I hope you'll be back after a respite.

    ReplyDelete
  20. JacquelynOctober 28, 2009 at 10:11 AM

    You will be missed.

    ReplyDelete
  21. "Ground Control to Major Tom"October 29, 2009 at 12:19 PM

    I ve been watching your blog some time now and that was my first time to comment on your "late harvest"...

    Unfortunately i found you on your way to "end" your "magpies".

    Hope and wish everything to be ok for you and your family and as we say here in Greece "αντίο".

    ReplyDelete
  22. NanceOctober 31, 2009 at 10:33 AM

    Goodbye. This is a decision we all consider from time to time, myself included lately. I hope your future holds much joy.

    ReplyDelete
  23. LydiaNovember 3, 2009 at 4:09 AM

    I understand and support your need for a respite and I do hope it isn't forever. You are special, even in silence.

    . . . but I'll break the silence to say: Waaaaaaaahhh! I'll miss you.

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousNovember 3, 2009 at 3:49 PM

    Thank you for some beautiful poems. Happy days ahead to you.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Batteson.IndNovember 8, 2009 at 2:25 AM

    I wondered why I kept missing you.. normally you were near the top of my bloglist, but because you haven't been round, you're near the bottom... and I kept missing you...
    Anyway.. I hope you manage to get done all that needs to be done and that you manage to do it all surrounded by peace, grace and wisdom :-)
    We can wait for you... though your little inspiring moments will be a melancholy loss.
    All the best things!.. and sorry we're late to say so.. typical of us really! :-D

    ReplyDelete
  26. KathleenNovember 8, 2009 at 6:37 AM

    I miss you . . .

    ReplyDelete
  27. OwenNovember 9, 2009 at 11:52 AM

    Missing you... and the lovely poems you kept finding for us, always exquisite...

    ReplyDelete

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Hey, thanks for your thoughts and your time:>)

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