Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Seasons Overlapping

Renegade leaves outside our door have begun to turn, audacious and red, they flirt from their gnarly perches, taunting the greens to join them, to clasp hands and run ahead. A brilliant cascade of reds, yellows and deep purples moves through the canopy of leaves, redefining the personality of the beautifully grizzled maples along our street. Beneath the trees, our front walk is speckled with bits of chalk art, flowers and suns, and pastel blurs born from the crisp rivulets of water that trailed behind as I watered the yard. Then, the rustle of leaves is joined by the whimsical call of the singin' truck.

I smile, turning to look for the garishly decorated truck, swimmie diapers are scattered along the floor, a pair of princess galoshes lay on their side beside the door. As the truck appears, Briar runs to the door, breathless. Her skinny legs with knobby knees that pierce my heart and muscular calves that mirror my own, tremble.

"Can we do it, mama? Can get some money and get one popsicle pop?"

We have lived this summer to the fullest. Watching Briar now, her blue eyes impossibly light, twinkling with the wisdom of a spirit so young already knowing how to work a moment. I shake my head, saying we'll buy a popsicle another day. She is not sad, happy enough just to have seen the truck. She waves and calls to the driver, "See you next time."

She bends to pick yellow petals that have gathered in the corner of the door, castoffs from the basket outside. A golden ringlet catches on her eyelashes and she blows at it. The chimes of the truck begin to fade and sunlight peeks through a gauzy curtain. I can smell the the first kiss of autumn as the sounds of summer still tickle my ear, exhaling I feel a hope so pure that I shiver. Briar laughs, and so do I.

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12 comments:

BetteJo said...

... I can see it, hear it ..

What a gift you have!

painted maypole said...

so glad you stopped by my blog, because I have very much enjoyed yours. Beautiful writing.

S said...

I love this post, Amanda. So evocative. Lovely.

Amy Y said...

You certainly have a way with words! You had me right there in that moment with you! Excellent... I love when that happens. :)
I am jealous, however, as we do not even have a wink of autumn, let alone a kiss. Sigh. All in good time, eh?

Chaotic Joy said...

Here in Atlanta, we have another month or two of summer, and I am so thankful. As gorgeous as your post was, I am not ready for fall.

Anonymous said...

Ahhh, so beautiful.

flutter said...

I love your way with words.

Girlplustwo said...

what a gift to know you've lived something to the fullest.

Trina said...

Someday I hope my toddlers are as accepting of a "no" to ice cream :) You have some great kids and I love that I have the privilege of knowing them. They help keep my "time with small children" needs in check until I take the mom path myself. :)

TheButterfly2 said...

beautifullly written. Capturing the change from season to season so perfectly.

Janet said...

The imagery in this post is exquisite, Amanda! Loving it.

The seasonally confused walnut tree in our back yard has been dropping leaves for weeks now. I raked a pile decent enough to jump in last week, but the kids were too busy eating popsicles to take notice. It's not time yet. Soon though, soon.

Anonymous said...

ooooh gorgeous.. there is something so sentimental about an ice cream truck and long summer days. Yet I too, am ready to wave goodbye to them.. outstanding.