Thursday, December 3, 2009

What a goat knows (SWF)

Autumn Grasses

The heat has cycled on, blowing the first warm breeze of the morning into a darkened room, which, though the clock has declared an hour past sunrise, the dimness outside denies.
A thick, gray cloud hides the Cold Moon.

Yesterday, in an effort to soak in the last warm afternoon before a stretch of colder ones arrive, I walked the field, drawing in the clean, autumn air with each long stride. And stood looking out from the woods’ edge at my favorite spot to stop.

October Barn

From here, the big, old barn looks small.
Phoebes and tree swallows gone, the field seems very empty.
But, I remember a sky, thick with butterflies, before the goldenrod faded to brown.


Summer Fawn

And how the deer, too, would linger in this spot, looking out from the safety of the woods.
Behind me, fallen leaves rustle with the slow and cautious steps of the same, whose footprints I see left on the ground beside my own. I am careful to move slowly along in this season, knowing that those I rouse will circle back and reclaim the space as I leave it. Hoping they won’t, instead, fearfully bound away and on to the next field.

Edie
pygmy goat

Behind the tall grass, resting in the pasture, are our goats, now just six.
These days for them, too, are all about drinking it in--contentedly waiting...and chewing things over.
And cycles that remind us that butterflies will fly again—soon.






happy goat


See more Skywatch here.

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19 comments:

FAB said...

An excellent post. I must come back for more. FAB.

eileeninmd said...

Wonderful series of photos, I love all the animals especially the fawn. Great skywatch.

cestoady said...

A touching photo essay. I always suspected the goats were smart-- now I know they are wise too.

When anyone calls ME an old goat -- I too will smile back.

Rinkly Rimes said...

What goat wouldn't be happy in such surroundings!

Susan Gets Native said...

That is one happy goat. And he surely has plenty to be happy about.

LauraHinNJ said...

That fawn pic breaks my heart Nina, it's so perfect.

Goats are characters, no?

Gaelyn said...

I'd be a happy old goat in that setting. Love the barn shot with a few colors to the surrounding leaves. Such a beautiful and well put together post. Thanks.

elvira pajarola said...

Fantastic Pictures; I love the little dear a little hidden....so sweet and really extremely delicate...
the black goats: incredibly sympaticly funny expressions!
nice meeting you!
ciao
elvira

Arija said...

A wonderfully thoughtful post Nina.
Great pictures too.

KGMom said...

Oh yes--goats are so knowing. I can think of no other domesticated animal that is quite so brazen.

Kelly said...

...and a cute goat too! Love his happy little face.

NCmountainwoman said...

Lovely post. As always, your prose fits so perfectly with the gorgeous photographs.

Anonymous said...

The goat and I share the brotherhood of the beard.

Don't know where that came from, but lovely post. Your nature prose is brilliant. I can only hope to be as poetic as you.

PJ said...

I always leave happy when I visit with you. Each photo is a gem and your text draws me right in. Happy SWF!

holdingmoments said...

Excellent post Nina; your words capture the moments perfectly.
I love that picture of the fawn, gazing beyond the path.

Gayle said...

LOL, Happy Goat.......what a face....soooooo kissable!
Gayle
San Diego

Bradley Hsi said...

Enjoy very much this post, thanks.

Kathie Brown said...

I love your October barn photo! There is something wistful about a white barn. It's not so in your face like a red barn. A red barn is cheerful and happy, but a white barn recalls dreams.

Hundewanderer said...

Oh my goodness the goat pictures are cute. All of your photos are just wonderful. Your world is so different than mine and I love the differences. hugs from HW