October Light

Today the October light changed every few minutes all day long. 

I was out on the porch any number of times to take more pictures.

This is one of them.

There is a Gold light in Certain Old Paintings

1

There is a gold light in certain old paintings
That represents a diffusion of sunlight.
It is like happiness, when we are happy.
It comes from everywhere and nowhere at once, this light,
And the poor soldiers sprawled at the foot of the cross
Share in its charity equally with the cross.

2

Orpheus hesitated beside the black river.
With so much to look forward to he looked back.
We think he sang then, but the song is lost.
At least he had seen once more the beloved back.
I say the song went this way: O prolong
Now the sorrow if that is all there is to prolong.

3

The world is very dusty, uncle. Let us work.
One day the sickness shall pass from the earth for good.
The orchard will bloom; someone will play the guitar.
Our work will be seen as strong and clean and good.
And all that we suffered through having existed
Shall be forgotten as though it had never existed.

Donald Justice

from the Paris Review Blog, December 1, 2011

This is an elegant poem in three six-line parts. The first is the visual idea, the second an old story that is related to it, and the third, the conclusions the poet reaches through his process of thought. This would make a nice structure to try with a poem of your own. If you would like to use a photograph to start the process, there is a wide variety here for you to download at my Flickr site. Photos are available for your personal use at no charge.

And this today in the back yard.