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| Lit by a butternut sun. Photo by Linda Mitchell 2024 |
Haibun and Aubade
At the end of our conference we heard that route 64 was shut down. There would be no happy winding east and north toward home for for a couple of hours. My friend bought a book of Williamsburg Ghost Stories and we strolled from asphalt to cobblestones of the old capitol.
Though a November day, it was warm for walking. The autumn sun down-sliding and friendly as I huh-ed! to readings of ghost sightings and hauntings in the taverns and houses of Duke of Gloucester Street.
Shops began closing for the day. A milliner took in ribboned bergeres from an outside display, The fife and drum corps lined up to play taps. Shadows stretched into long stockings.
At the backdoor of a blacksmith I watched a modern family listen to the smithy holding a red hot piece of iron with his tongs on the anvil. A smith assistant listened too. Was she taking a fresh breath of air? Cleaning tools? She glowed beside a window open to eighteenth century life caught by my iphone as I traveled time.
butternut evening
just thirty in november
save up for winter
Linda Mitchell--draft
My dear World...I worry for you. There's a new poem on World's padlet.
Thank you poet and poem curator extraordinaire, Karen Edminsten, for hosting our round up this week.
Linda, “butternut sun” is lovely, my friend. At first, I thought your photo was an old, oil painting – it’s incredible! That deserves a frame!
ReplyDeleteOh that butternut sun! I hope VAASL was fabulous (despite 64 being shut down). So sorry I missed it this year! I hope being in community helped the blow of bad news.
ReplyDeleteThe light in your photo is stunning, Linda. Thank you for sharing it with us, along with your words.
ReplyDeleteI also thought your photo was a painting! I found ghost stories helpful this past weekend, too (on a podcast). So glad you enjoyed Williamsburg and the conference :)
ReplyDeleteButternut evening. Love! This post glows, Linda. Thank you. xo
ReplyDeleteI love the haibun form, Linda -- it lends itself to thoughtfulness with a nugget of wisdom to unpack at the end. Butternut evening is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThere is always hope with light, isn't there, Linda? What a wonderful feeling you've shared with your words of a "butternut evening" & "butternut sun". You've given us more than a taste of your time there. Thank you for a great start to the day!
ReplyDeleteWonderfu, Linda, appreciations for sharing this late-in-the-afternoon look at ColonialOldeTimes, the tingle of distracting tales & the anvil glow of learning & seeing. May we all find peace & soothing, so we can handle the work ahead.
ReplyDeletethe above is from Bookseedstudio/Jan
ReplyDeleteLike others, Linda, I thought your gorgeous photo was a gorgeous painting. :) And I'm so struck by the butternut sun, the butternut evening. Bathed in warmth. Peace, friend.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I wanted to go to Williamsburg to see the lights, etc. with my family but it is not happening this month. Thanks for sharing some highlights at Williamsburg. It make me feel as though I am there. A butternut sun is a wonderful word choice. Your World poem is strong. I am not sure what will become of the goverment.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous photo! Love "butternut sun!" Enjoyed reading details of your visit (it's been far too long since I've visited Williamsburg). We once stayed in a haunted B&B (chains rattling in the closet!). Thanks for the memory.
ReplyDeleteOh, to be in Williamsburg, I would love to visit. I love this line and hope it fins its way into a poem: Shadows stretched into long stockings.
ReplyDeleteYour poem displays your talent for acute observation, Linda. The closing lines tie up the gift of words most appropriately. The accompanying photo further enhances the reading.
ReplyDeleteButternut lusciousness sparkles ✨ within your post Linda, along with the lovely stockings, thanks for the warm light in words and your gorgeous pic 💙❤️🩹
ReplyDeleteYou painted a beautiful late afternoon scene, and it is fantastic to see the "butternut sun" that so inspired you!
ReplyDelete