I donned my uniform; bibbie-overalls, garden gloves, my shears and my "gardening" coat. It's actually a very ugly quilted thing. I hide it most days. My muck boots were ready. I was waging war.
I had to take back my flowerbed in the bistro. Gone were the vibrant lively colors and flowers that had kept me company all spring and summer. There were no more humming birds or elegant butterflies. Even the dragonflies and bees had vanished. No. Now all I had left were muted greys, soggy greens, and spiders. It was time to say farewell to summer.
Sadly, I began at the edge, pulling dahlia blooms that were once a brilliant purple. I slowly moved on to the "strawberry parfaits' that had fuchsia star burst petals. I cut down the lavender and red salvia and plowed through the glads, the lilies, my bachelor buttons. I loaded their wet carcasses into the hearse...my red Radio Flyer wagon and with its squeaky wheel, I carted off the dead.
But my work wasn't finished until I wedged myself among the beanstalks known as my "dwarf sunflowers" and wrapped up crunchy begonias in strands of choking jasmine. I cut down the clematis vine and the stray pole-bean. I slashed at the laurel. She was the only one to give me fits. Her thorns were dry and brittle. She clung to me like a child throwing a temper tantrum. "Nooooooo! I don't wanna gooooo!" I thought I heard. But I peeled her off and sent her away too. I readjusted the wall as the more aggressive plants had pushed some of the bricks back. I saw a toad hop out and head for the woods and wondered if it was the one I had saved one night. There was rustling in the dry dead leaves and I let it pass. I didn't want a handful of snake. Time to move on everybody. Go on. Scoot. Yep, the party's over.
Then I got out the rake and scratched at the dirt, turning it all over. It was as black as midnight. Nothing left of the bright laughter we had this summer. No secrets bloomed here. There were a couple of marigold heads that lit up the thick dark earth like tiny bonfires. The battle was over. I had won. It was bittersweet.
I built my bonfire and sat next to the empty bed. I smelled the sweet sting of an autumn fire. I heard the crackle of the dead twigs and leaves as they burned. The heat rolled over me and soothed me. I would miss summer. But as I sat there, I heard the barks of the cardinals and shouts of the last blue jays. I enjoyed the brisk air and woodsy smell. I loved the deep reds and shiny oranges of the leaves remainin on the trees in our woods. As the wind blew, naked, gnarled branches clicked and applauded my hard work. The sun was bright and it was beautiful.
The kids were raking acorns and leaves into a pile. Winston was running through it. There was laughter and every once in a while, they would stop and sit by the fire. Their cheeks wind burned and their breath jagged. Remember running like that? Until your lungs burned like the fire I had built? I pulled my coat in around me and snuggled up with the Bunnies. We ate roasted marshmallows and stared at the fire.
I anticipate the late nights with my friends; where we dash to the pool house and carry on late into the night. I can't wait until we sit out with that fire burning brightly and the gazebo lit up while we contemplate life, children, work or nothing at all while wine and laughter flow. I look forward to Fall with my family, my friends.
It was a wonderful day.
Nothing dramatic .... but thanks for stopping in.
