Autumn Song
Paul Verlaine articulates the drying leaf
Thank you everyone for your heartfelt responses and comments for Jesse’s words for Cairo. Very comforting and also encouraging. A new season, a new chapter in life and much new work to be done. So, off I go, with a heart a bit lighter.
Autumn Song
A sighing begins
In the violins
Of the autumn-song,
My heart is drowned
In the slow sound
Languorous and long
Pale as with pain,
Breath fails me when
The hours toll deep.
My thoughts recover
The days that are over,
And I weep.
And I go
Where the winds know,
Broken and brief,
To and fro,
As the winds blow
A dead leaf.
Translated by Arthur Symons
Dearest Patti, the morning you emailed me with Cairo's passing I cried for Cairo and for Odie who is hanging by one leaf. They were contemporaries. Cairo was 21 and Odie is 22. Moments after you emailed me Odie had a near-death experience with a seizure . I was able to bring him back from being called back. Had I not been home he would've surely died. Blessings to you & Jesse. XXXGerard.
As I embrace Autumn, I wish to thank you again for the Rimbaud that you covered over the summer. I learned much but, maybe more importantly, was able to take time to just listen. Mindfulness is important in all settings. Under the trees, cold drink in hand, I was able to journey with you back in time while I kept an eye on the local bees/butterflies/hummingbirds. Thank you much...May you be safe & well. Your messages are always a balm. 🍁