login | Register

A Long, Hot Summer?

Posted: May 27, 2007

I don’t think it has rained in the Tennessee Valley since the day Clifton Taulbert spoke at Calhoun College and that day was merely a tiny oasis in what has become a desert of drought. I have never seen the earth so parched. This past week the air in North Alabama was thick with smoke from wildfires as far away as northern Florida and southern Georgia.

Two months ago a killing freeze resulted in forty-one Alabama counties being declared disaster areas. Now the crops that are left are withering in the fields while to the west of us Texas is flooding. It could be a long, hot summer.

I wrote this piece of verse last August during a late summer drought.

Alchemy 
(after reading an essay by Nora Ephron in Vogue)

It is a hot August afternoon in Alabama.
The mercury reads 96 degrees.
The humidity is 89 percent.
It feels like 110.
I am supine on my Ralph Lauren corduroy couch
Reading poems by Diane Wakoski
And listening to distant thunder
That promises but never delivers
Rain.
This August I turned 62.
Too soon I will be 82.
I could be a character in a Beckett play
But I am no longer waiting for anything---
Not a husband, or a grandchild, not even
Rain.
In my other life, I was a teacher.
For over thirty years I spun dross into gold.
In my other life I was an athlete.
Now I totter three miles and smear Biofreeze on my knees.
In my other life I had a host of handsome lovers.
Now I retire at dusk with my TIVOed CSI
And lust after William Petersen.
In my other life I was a writer.
Now I say “I wish I had written that” or
“I could have written that.”
Hush! Listen?
Do you think that could be
Rain?

Hope you enjoyed the Alabama Adventure Weekend article. The photographs were taken by my artist friend Faylee Littrell who accompanied me to the celebration. My next feature on RiverVue will profile Alabama author Cassandra King whose latest novel is The Queen of Broken Hearts

Check out my next blog for a recipe for the perfect Mint Julep and a glimpse into how we celebrate Derby Day on Elk River.  Also, watch this space to read the poem "Midlife Crisis" that I wrote when I thought forty-five was old!!!

related tags

RiverVue,
Alabama,
Wayfaring,
Manner,
Discourse,

Wireless from AT&T


Comments

co2010 says...

In other words, NBA jerseys, the Celtics defense is good enough, but not in control of basic resources to establish, based on their defensive rotation by the powerful complement bit, of course, this defense is more targeted results. Analogy: If the physical foundation of a good man, ill soon after the natural good; But if the body itself is not good, was sick after eating fast symptomatic drugs, the natural good faster. If the control boards, create internal and external line pressure is equivalent to laying the foundation of good health, then the effective rotation fill seats that have targeted specific drug. The problem is of course a valid and effective rotary fill seats can fill the seats once the rotation question? Celtics rotation up a bit skill most of construction in Garnett on the defensive flexibility. Do not you see 2002,2003 was on the NFL Football Jerseys Nets beat the Celtics when Pierce, who talked about the defense Ray Allen from Milwaukee Bucks to the Seattle SuperSonics are not defensive specialists,giants jersey into the key, Boston has been able to play decent defense, Garnett from the third line of control contributed to the paint. I wonder why Kevin Garnett since the Finals began, it suddenly old, old, contemporary first defensive flexibility is lost.

says...

The others halted startled; but the cry fell as if muffled by a heavy curtain. There was no echo or answer though the wood seemed to become more crowded and more watchful than before. 'I should not shout, if I were you,' said Merry. It does more harm than good.' Frodo began to wonderlouis vuitton outlet if it were possible to find a way through, and if he had been right to make the others come into this abominable wood. Merry was looking from side to side, and seemed already uncertain which way to go. Pippin noticed it. 'It has not taken youugg boots outlet long to lose us,' he said. But at that moment Merry gave a whistle of relief and pointed ahead. 'Well, well!' he said. 'These trees _do_ shift. There is the Bonfire Glade ugg boots clearancein front of us (or I hope so), but the path to it seems to have moved away!' The light grew clearer as they went forward. Suddenly they came out of the trees and found themselves in a wide circular space. There was sky above them, blue and clear to their surprise, for down under the Forest-roof they had not been able to see the rising morning and ugg boots clearancethe lifting of the mist. The sun was not, however, high enough yet to shine down into the clearing, though its light was on the tree-tops. The leaves were all thicker and greener about the edges of the glade, enclosing it with an almost solid wall. No tree grew there, only rough grass and many tall plants: stalky and faded hemlocks andugg boots clearance wood-parsley, fire-weed seeding into fluffy ashes, and rampant nettles and thistles. A dreary place: but it seemed a charming and cheerful garden after the close Forest.

alilia says...

Comfortably, the article is in reality the best on this valuable topic. I harmonise with your conclusions and will thirstily look forward to your coming updates. Just saying thanks will not just be sufficient, for the wonderful clarity in your writing. cheap uggs ugg classic mini classic cardy uggs ugg classic crochet ugg boots on sale classic uggs sale ugg classic short ugg 5833 cheap coach bags discount coach handbags discount coach wallets coach shoes on sale coach store coach handbags outlet coach luggage coach sunglasses Coach Outlet Online coach outlets stores designer coach handbags coach tote bag coach wallets coach purses outlet coach bags outlet coach handbags on sale coach sneakers coach outlets stores coach leather handbags Coach Sandals coach sunglasses cheap coach purses coach crossbody bags coach boots coach wristlets Gucci Outlet Gucci Bags Gucci Backpack Gucci Shoes I was very pleased to find this site. I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.

lanny1985 says...

Very Useful information, this is both good reading for, have quite a few good key points, and I learn some new stuff from it too, thanks for sharing your information. This is truly a great read for me. I have bookmarked it and I am looking forward to reading new articles. Keep up the good work! cozy boots Uggs Sale ugg classic boots on sale Cheap UGG Boots UGG Classic Boots Uggs On Sale ugg bailey button sale UGG Boots Sale ugg bailey button on sale black coach bag coach bags on sale coach handbags on sale coach factory outlet store discount coach handbags Coach Store Online coach designer handbags Coach For Sale Coach Handbags Outlets Coach Outlet Online coach purses on sale coach outlet store online coach handbags on sale Coach Outlet Stores Online Coach Outlets Online Coach Purses Outlet I like the side of the article, and very like your blog, to write well and hope to continue your efforts, we can see more of your articles.

alilia says...

Hello, blogger, your article very good, looking forward to sharing your latest. Replica Bags Coach Bag this is both good reading for, have quite a few good key points, Coach Outlet Store Coach Bags Gucci Backpack GucciYour blog article is very intersting and fanstic, ugg boots on sale Hope you can have the best of you life enjoying here. ugg classic boots on sale I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. cheapest ugg boots,at the same time the blog theme is unique and perfect, ugg bailey button sale great job. Thank you for your understanding and hope to see your next new artical in a quick time.

janna says...

Ah, Penne, your poem hits home once again. Please keep that pen busy.

Please login or you can to leave a comment.

If you aren't registered, Register Now to start leaving comments.

Copyright 1998-2018 by Swampland Inc. All rights reserved.