Sunday, November 7, 2010

Scenic Sunday

Sugar Maples
Rogersville, Alabama


GATHERING LEAVES

by Robert Frost

Spades take up leaves
No better than spoons,
And bags full of leaves
Are light as balloons.
I make a great noise
Of rustling all day
Like rabbit and deer
Running away.
But the mountains I raise
Elude my embrace,
Flowing over my arms
And into my face.
I may load and unload
Again and again
Till I fill the whole shed,
And what have I then?
Next to nothing for weight,
And since they grew duller
From contact with earth,
Next to nothing for color.
Next to nothing for use.
But a crop is a crop,
And who's to say where
The harvest shall stop?

Our yard has suddenly become crackly and crunchy. The time of leaf gathering in our neighborhood has begun in earnest, yet I am waiting for them all to fall. Why do the job 3 times or more when I can do it once? Actually, we are going to use the mulching mower and shred those delightful leaves into mulch for the ground beneath which begs for nutrients. Last year I counted no less than a dozen really odd mushrooms, and the soil is packed down and coated with green. Time to send some scoops of soil to Auburn for evaluation to see what it's lacking and what's needed to replenish it. In the meantime, God's bountiful gift from His trees are a good beginning. Happy Autumn!

Be sure to stop by Scenic Sunday to see more lovely sights from around the world!

12 comments:

Gaelyn said...

The colors are just so gorgeous it seems a shame to rake them up, especially multiple times.

Jenny said...

Whoa! Beautiful maples standing to attention there Debs. You really can't beat Maples at this time of year, but I also love the subtlety of our Beech trees, lovely burnt golds and coppers..... (-:

sunflowerkat said...

I just found your lovely blog via Scenic Sunday. You take the same kinds of photos that I love to take. I'll look forward to visiting again soon!

Kat
http://inmydreamssfk.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

It's hard to think with sugar maples in Alabama. This is a delighful shot.

Unknown said...

What an electric sugar maple this is! Our leaves are pretty much gone, while everything is soggy after three days of nonstop rain, and more to come. But on the other hand, everything is clean...

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful scene: those chunky dark trunks form such a delightful contrast to the dainty crowns.
Wonderfully observed and captured.

Barbara said...

I love, love, love your capture of the fall maple tree. Picture perfect.

Barbara said...

I had to come back and tell you how much I loved you web site as well. You have an amazing eye for capturing shoots. I will visit often just to see what is new. :)Barbara

Bo Mackison said...

Oh my, I love the pattern of the tree trunks mixed with such bright autumn colors. Beautiful!

Blessing Counter said...

Beautiful! Love these trees....and I know that once the leaves fall and are on the ground, mulching them makes sense...but seeing them here, it makes me sad to think about mulching them....just saying...LOVE YOU!

George said...

Thanks for this beautiful picture and the poem. I just came in from working with some of the leaves in our front yard (there are too many for the mulching mower).
Thanks for visiting my site.

Carol said...

Beautiful Sugar Maple grove!! I love this time of year with the crunchy sound of leaves as we walk. Love the RF poem too. ;>)

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