Not from successful love alone,
Nor wealth, nor honor’d middle age, nor victories of politics or war;
But as life wanes, and all the turbulent passions calm,
As gorgeous, vapory, silent hues cover the evening sky,
As softness, fullness, rest, suffuse the frame, like fresher, balmier air,
As the days take on a mellower light,
and the apple at last hangs really finish’d and indolent-ripe on the tree,
Then for the teeming quietest, happiest days of all!
The brooding and blissful halcyon days!
~ Walt Whitman
(Sands at Seventy)
That is an interesting word–indolent. Ripe on the tree. Full. It’s one of the most precious times of year when the earth ripens and gives so much to us. Hoping all is well in your world. Am not spending much time on-line so rarely get to say hi. xoxoxo
So nice to see you here, Kathy! I had to look up indolent and had fun wondering in what sense Whitman was using the word. Maybe peaceful laziness in that our turbulent passions have likely calmed down for our senior years. Yes, definitely full. We’re enjoying the mellower light these lovely autumn days. Hope all is well with you and yours. *hugs*
Expressed as only Whitman can express it – these slower, leaner, yet juicier days, in which we hang indolently – enjoying the ‘fruits’ of our past, the sweet apply smell of our present.
P.S. I just made applesauce from apples in a local orchard. Tis the season!
It certainly is the season for home made applesauce, apple pies, and apple crisp! I love warm apple cider, too, fresh from our local cider mill. 🙂 The blessings of a good harvest. The “autumn” of our lives is much to be enjoyed and savored, too.