From read poetry - We Grow Accustomed to the Dark - by Emily Dickinson

https://www.readpoetry.com/we-grow-accustomed-to-the-dark-by-emily-dickinson/

The Spell

born of

yellow plume

and dread

drown the spider

and the web

pour the Sulphur

into night

purge the lost

waif

burn the blight..

(c) Jan Darrow

              Pixabay

Paul James Meinke

Watercolor/Marker. By Paul James Meinke.🧡

Autumn Poetry: A Collection for the Season - Free (Kindle Version) August 5 - 8

I don't know about you, but it has been so hot here that autumn can't arrive soon enough. My book (kindle version) Autumn Poetry: A Collection for the Season will be free next week! Click the link here or on the book (to the right side of the screen) to get your free Kindle copy on Amazon - August 5 - 8. 

https://www.amazon.com/Autumn-Poetry-Collection-Jan-Darrow-ebook/dp/B00E1V0JVY

Morning Arrives

Stars will leave the sky

when all the night is gone

and we have worn the dark

down to a thread.

The sun drifts up

and pulls the light of day

across a morning rose,

a tree,

across a thought

we mean to use

to start another day.

Jan Darrow (c) 2025

                                             Pixabay

Lavender

My lavender this year. 

 2025

The Man Who Painted His House

As part of the 2025 Cambridge Festival -  “The Man Who Painted His House presents a poetic exploration of the work of David Parr. Made in collaboration by Jarman Lab and Birkbeck, University London created by Dr Victoria Mills and Lily Ford, with original music composed and performed by Richard Uttley.”

David Parr’s work is absolutely beautiful.

Washington

From my very recent trip to Washington. The Pacific Northwest. Truly the most beautiful landscape ever. (Pic) Mount Saint Helens.

Notorious

Notorious (1946) by Alfred Hitchcock is a spy film noir. (You know I love noir!) It stars Ingrid Bergman, Cary Grant and Claude Rains. Set in Rio de Janeiro, this spy thriller is also a story about love as two men (Grant and Rains) fall in love with the same woman (Bergman). Yes I recommend!

As Americans - We Should Know Our History

I’m recommending Journey To American Democracy: Ten Steps to Revolution (YouTube series) - Heather Cox Richardson, an American historian (professor of History at Boston College) - for anyone who hasn’t had the chance to learn about America’s history / revolution. 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2dS6uX1RkUyIQKUhI72xmstYGNpN_k1B

Two Interesting Things Happened In My Garden This Year

Our white peony bush has pink flowers this year! I’ve read that it’s possible. New shoots - new color - I still can’t believe they’re pink!

(Update: Interestingly enough - now that they’re in full bloom they appear to be white. Although the outer petals are tinged in pink.)

Also, it was a surprise to find a morel mushroom growing underneath an Elm tree on the south side of our property. The tree is very old and part of it is dying which is why - so I have read - a morel mushroom has appeared. They like decaying root systems!