The porch, the porch!
What marvel, it!
Wordless greeting:
“Come and sit!”
In rocker, swing,
or wicker chair,
we bask inside
in outside air.
Gossip, cookie,
sip of tea,
a honk, a wave,
reverie —
we pretend to read,
shaded from sun,
but the book falls away
and we fool no one.
Unwalled parlor
mooring the ‘hood,
big bear hug
from painted wood,
any porch is
fine by me,
but melon-bedecked
especially!
Many thanks to photographer S.W. Berg.
What is it about this image, dear reader, that seems to be a most splendid greeting for Labor Day? Is it the hoorah of the watermelon red? The thick, disciplined hedge? The leafiness of late summer? The invitation to rest? The certainty that somewhere unseen is a sweating glass pitcher of iced tea with Wyler’s lemonade mix (and lots of sugar)?
I pass it along to all of you in hopes that you too can look at it and think of porches and late summers you have known. I wish you a relaxing Labor Day, dear reader, and a good harvest. May all be safe from Dorian.
September 1, 2019 at 9:52 am
Thank you for your wonderful words, and please thank SWB for that photo. WOW – it sends the mind to wandering and dreaming. I thought I’d seen a lot of porches, but never have I seen those gorgeous watermelon slices draped across a railing. Now, my thoughts go to the age range of the owners because I think that probably affects whether or not anyone actually enjoys sitting there with a book. I’ll leave it there, but you know what I mean. 🙂
September 1, 2019 at 10:05 am
My mind also wandered and dreamed when I saw this, and I sure do know what you mean about whether anyone here can actually take time off and relax on this incredible porch. There is a LOT of work that goes into making such a place to relax! It seems to me there is someone sitting over to the left on the porch; I imagine him as the grandpa, resting, while the young folks start the barbecue and chase around. I hope your holiday weekend is good, Judy, and that you find some refuge from headlines and traffic!
September 3, 2019 at 2:02 pm
I hope you had a relaxing Labor Day and echo your thoughts about the storm. It is so scary to see its path mapped out, with the conjecture lines each spelling trouble for some community or other.
We sadly lack porches and rockers in my part of the world, but it’s always good to admire one from afar. I’m reading Troilus and Cressida and confess to my book dropping more than once.
September 3, 2019 at 3:29 pm
I know a thing or two about book-dropping, and at this point in my life I don’t know that I could even pick up Troilus and Cressida, let alone hold on to it! You certainly are sticking to your Shakespeare goals. I applaud! As to the storm, yes, no matter where it goes people will be hurt. Not much good news at all in the last few days wherever we live. I’m grateful for things like your photos and Bill’s photos, where I can go even briefly to another place.