Last Swim of Summer

A sure sign that summer is on it's way out is the last swim of summer of my beloved Loons...they are the gift of the lake...as they gently, slowly glide across the water all summer long singing and occasionally crying their lonesome song...each year they come again and teach the meaning of stillness and peace...nothing presents itself so regally as a loon drifting across the water...and I love how they just curl up and sleep as they drift..ever so slowly..I rejoice in the spring when they come..I give thanks for another year of their gifts to me as they take their final swim and then fly away...

As summer comes to a close and we once again welcome the gifts of fall...I say goodbye to these most beautiful birds...wishing them safe travels, warm waters and a nest that protect them from all that would do them harm...and I'll wait...not so patiently, in mid winter, for their return...reminding me, once again of the gifts of nature..and the songs of the birds...

Linking up to Kim Klassen Texture Tuesday...KK vintage texture at 20% was used on both Loons, brushing away the texture from the birds...

“Summer is like the ultimate one-night stand.. hot as hell, totally thrilling, and gone before you know it.”
 Unknown

Summer's End

The summer ends, and it is time
To face another way. Our theme
Reversed, we harvest the last row
To store against the cold, undo
The garden that will be undone.
We grieve under the weakened sun
To see all earth's green fountains dried,
And fallen all the works of light.
You do not speak, and I regret
This downfall of the good we sought
As though the fault were mine. I bring
The plow to turn the shattering
Leaves and bent stems into the dark,
From which they may return. At work,
I see you leaving our bright land,
The last cut flowers in your hand.

"The Summer Ends" by Wendell Berry

Linking to Texture Tuesday...textured with KK Randominspiration.