Wednesday, November 28, 2007

LOOKING BACK ON AUTUMN......

Yesterday I read an article in the daily paper headed ‘Autumn leaves us dryer than usual’ and it went on to say that this autumn is on course to be one of the driest since records began in 1914.

Well, after such a wet summer, the predominance of settled weather during the months of September, October and November has been a very welcome respite and will certainly make the winter feel shorter. However, the report went on to state that there is an enhanced risk of frost and fog during these last days of November and early December.....

Living near the coast we are fortunate not to suffer the fogs that more inland parts of the country do. Sea mists we have a plenty, low clouds too, but fog no.

Saturday was such a day when low cloud prevailed most of the day. It wasn’t raining, but the atmosphere was wet , visibility was poor and all about was soaked......

As we travelled alongside the lake and over the pass, I was reminded of a poem that I’d been taught at school. In England, way back in the 50s we used to have some real ‘pea souper’ fogs and I always felt that this poem written by Thomas Hood called ‘November’ expressed the feeling of those foggy days so well.

NOVEMBER

No sun, no moon,
No morn, no noon,
No dawn, no dusk, no proper time of day...
No sky, no earthly view,
No distance looking blue...

No road, no street,
No ‘t’other side the way’
No end to any row,
No indications where the crescents go....

No top to any steeple,
No recognition's of familiar people,
No courtesies for showing them,
No knowing them....

No mail, no post,
No news from any foreign coast,
No park, no ring, no afternoon gentility
No company, no nobility.....
No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,
No comfortable feel in any member,
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,
No fruits, now flowers, no leaves, no birds.....
November!


14 comments:

Boxwood Cottage said...

Dear Marion,

first I must apology that I didn't visit your blog for such a long period, but I was so busy crafting for our private Winter magic market after work and all the swaps I have signed up for well and to make thngs worse I have a very bad and hurting back for some month now so that I didn't get around my friends blogs as usual, cause I need more time away from the pc, all this sitting kills me. Anyway I read that you had some stressy time too. Hope everything will calm down and get back to normal now. About your poem, I dont have the feeling that November days are as dull and sad as described there. I must say I really like the cosy atmosphere you can create in the house on dark November days and we really had some beautiful clear November days too, perfect for long walks.

Hope you and John are fine!
Hugs and best wishes!
Carol xox

Maggie said...

Even the grey days are beautiful - the colours are so beautiful. I'm definitely pining for the countryside!

Best wishes from Liverpool

Ramblins of a middle-aged goddess said...

We also are having our driest November too!! Guess rain just does not like to come any longer!! Loved the pictures as always...sandy

Anonymous said...

I like this poem. To me it describes the typical "feeling" on a November day with fog. Luckily there are always some bright and sunny days too in this "NO" month!!

Wurzerl said...

Yes I like the poem too!!! But in Bavaria we have snow and sunny,frosty days.
Best wishes from Wurzerl

Willow said...

Your poem gave me foggy shivers. Grey days are the reason I moved from Oregon to California. I do love my sunshine, although an occasional foggy/misty day is fine with me if it's followed by more sunshine.
I'm reminded of Carl Sandburg's poem that says, "Fog creeps in on little cat feet..." (or a paraphrase of the actual words).

Betty said...

What a great day for curling up on the sofa near the fire with a good book! I like sunny days but I also enjoy rainy days, of which we are in a deficit, big time.......

I enjoyed the poem.....Love, Betty

Kerri said...

Oh I miss the sea mists of the cooler seasons, and warm sea breezes of spring and summer that I experienced while growing up on the coast in Australia!
I love this wonderful poem Marion. It depicts so well the feeling of foggy days.
We often have morning fog here (and sometimes in the evening), especially in the fall and spring, and there are plenty of foggy mornings in the summer too.
I don't like the pea soupers though :) They're not very common here, thank heavens.
I always love your photos!

Barbara said...

Can just imagine the poem.
Even on the grey days your scenery is still gorgious.

Barbara said...

Can just imagine the poem.
Even on the grey days your scenery is still gorgious.

Anonymous said...

Hi Marion

I miss those foggy November days. Enjoy your weekend and do stop by for a visit by Monday ~ I'm having a giveaway.

I've linked to your blog on my new one.

Marie x

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Your part of the world looks nice and green, misty, and cool! Love the photos, especially of the lake. That poem is very clever, I enjoyed reading it.

We had a beautifully cold, rainy day yesterday; it was a nice change. The sun's out today, but the November cool is still with us, at least for now. I love it this time of year!

TYRA Hallsénius Lindhe said...

Hello Marion, I'm so glad that we have November behind us. I'm not a big fan of November and I think your poem really says it all!
This time on the other hand I do like, Advent. Lots of love Tyra

Sigrun said...

Hi Marion, nice poem! And in Germany we also had a very dry autumn. But now we have had so much rain, t hat I can't go in my garden. So I make whreaths again! From willow, I have a lot of fun while doing this.

Sigrun