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Summer Twilight in France: A Poem; Eating Al Fresco, Lights, Sounds, Birds, Stars & Satellites
Under the Moon & Stars
Al Fresco life in France
Eating out in France is wonderful but the best eating out for me is not in restaurants but under the huge lime tree in our garden. The tree is the hub of our outdoor life there.
The best time is in the evening; it's shady under the tree, sheltered from insects by the gazebos and when we have family and friends around we spend the evening hours chatting, eating, drinking wine, often until the small hours. The balmy air doesn't chill and the time passes swiftly in the midst of such conviviality.
I love it and I hope this poem gives you an idea of what it's like.
A French Summer Twilight
Eating al fresco, company convivial,
delicious wine, discussion genial,
electric-blue sky lights the end of day,
cicadas tune up their orchestral fray.
They thrum a rhythm, their vocals loud,
a vast commune, a chatty crowd.
As they converse, the swallows swirl,
acrobats a-wing, a scene unfurls
Of silhouettes against near-dark,
replaced then by the outline stark
of radar bats, the family three
twist, turn, catch prey, their nightly spree
Of flitting, swooping, hair a-parting.
Our guests converse, the darkness starting,
as daylight dims, the stars flick on -
and shooting down - quick, there! ..aah... gone.
Silhouettes
More silhouettes against the sky,
the peacocks roost, a final cry
of Léon! Léon! as if to say
this is our tree, we rule the day!
Our final search in the vast expanse,
for satellites, an odds-on chance;
they fly high, probing for information,
sending signals to nosy nations.
Owl prompted silence, dark as dark,
the air is fresher, we shiver, we hark
as distant train or barking canine
chase us in to sleepy bed time.
Eating Outside or.....?
Do you prefer eating....
© 2012 Ann Carr
Comments
- Author
Thank you, manatita44. I appreciate your visit and kind comment.
Great poem and great poetry. Shalom!
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Yes, DDE, I love the summertime when one can sit out late at night and still be warm - it doesn't happen often in England!
Glad you like this. Thanks for the visit and comment and thank you for following me. Ann
Night time is more interesting and one has to be alert but the findings are so exciting your photos are so beautiful. In the summer we sit outside until eleven or so the quietness and listening to the owl or the nosie of some creature is just so thrilling.
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RTalloni: Thank you for your kind comment. Yes, we've said a temporary goodbye to lots of friends but we'll be visiting regularly so it's not such a wrench. In fact, we'll be back there in April.
Glad I managed to 'put you in the picture'! Ann
It seems you have said goodbye to a good many friends, but your poem took me there. Very nicely done.
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Well thank you, Manatita44! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I like to write poetry but I need to feel it from experience.
I hope your part of London is not too wet and soggy. I'm off to look at your site. I appreciate your visit. Ann
I do not always see poets in poetry, but you are most certainly visible. Pranams.
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Tuatha, what a lovely comment! Thank you so much. I'm really glad you enjoyed it. Ann
I really enjoyed the scene painted here Ann. Could actually hear the wildlife's song in my mind and the scene in my heart. Thank You!
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Thank you, Romeos Quill, for your wonderful comment and encouragement. Don't do poetry that often but I'm having a 'phase' at the moment - must be the French countryside that does it! Back to colder Britain tomorrow - hooray, looking forward to it! Ann
You've clinched the atmosphere you wished to create for us beautifully, and your verse is just great - now hearkening to those memories of long Summer nights - this is the life! Lots of well-deserved clicks and sharing.
All the Best,
R.Q.
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Thank you Scarlett Rain. I'm glad you enjoyed it; I enjoyed writing it. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. Much appreciated.
Beautiful. Great hub, I've really enjoyed reading this (:
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jravity1: What a lovely compliment! Thank you. I'm glad you liked the poem and thanks for reading; much appreciated.
You did very well here. It takes a lot for me to see a poem. If you have actually seen one that wasn't your own, then you know what I mean.
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jcressler, thank you so much for your kind words. I'm happy it had such an effect on you. Ann
This is a wonderful poem! I so enjoyed how easily it brought me back to another place and time....I swear I've been exactly where you were as you penned this artful piece.
This is my favorite part:
"electric-blue sky lights the end of day, cicadas tune up their orchestral fray. They thrum a rhythm, their vocals loud, a vast commune, a chatty crowd. As they converse, the swallows swirl, acrobats a-wing, a scene unfurls."
Thumbs up and all the rest!
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tobusiness; well, thank you so much for your appreciation and wonderful words. The scene is so inspiring, I suppose that's why it's so good to write about. Thanks for dropping by and taking the time to read.
Ann, this is beautifully done, every word paint a picture; I'm right there with you, as the sun sets and life settles down.
Loved it.
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Thank you Wayne for your kind comments. Glad you liked it. Ann
I could hear the cicadas as I was reading. Absolutely beautiful poem.
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dreamseeker2: Thank you for reading, for your kind comments and for the votes. Good to see you. Ann
Very nice! I love the sounds of the evening and the shadows at dusk. You brought it all to our world through your poetry and images. : ) Voted up!
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Movie Master: thanks for your kind comments and votes. Glad you liked it. Ann
Hi Ann, this is so lovely, I loved the poem and pictures.
Thank you and voted up!
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dilipchandra12, thank you for dropping by; I'm glad you enjoyed the poem. Happy new Year!
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Thank you, Rosemay50, for your kind comments. Good to see you. I often wonder what info those satellites actually record as they pass over so rapidly! Glad you enjoyed this. Happy New Year!
Beautiful poem, enjoyed reading the same.
Ah this is lovely and evokes so many memories, although I haven't experienced all of the night sounds in the one place at the same time. Lol. Loved the 'Nosy nations'
You captured the life at night so well
Aewsome
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Thank you, epigramman! I love the way you 'own' the lake, sounds lovely. May your 2013 be all you wish it to be too. Ann
so lovely as if it were a scene out of a movie and I have all of this in the sky, in the atmosphere, in the environment, in the ambience over my lake - except the divine company at the dinner table.
Sending you sincere warm wishes for your happiness , health and prosperity in 2013 from lake erie time ontario canada 3:29pm
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Thank you Debbie. Happy new year to you too.
beautiful poem Ann.. so nice to meet you.. I hope you had a good Christmas
Happy new year
Debbie
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Thanks Amy! Glad you like the photos. I know what you mean about being outside in the calm night air. Thanks for stopping by. Ann
I love the outdoors at night. Recently, I went outside at 3 a.m. to view the meteor shower. It was a cold, crisp, silent night with shooting meteors lighting up the sky. Your beautiful poem reminded me of that quiet, solitary, magnificently magical sight. Your photographs add just the right touch. Awesome!
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So often the first comment is from you! Thank you, billy, for such lovely words. I value your friendship and your support too. May Christmas time bring joy and peace to you and your family and may you all have a wonderful 2013 (and good luck with your future writing). Ann
Very lovely Ann! You know, I have almost been here one year now, and you are one of the first to have followed me....so our friendship is about to celebrate our one year anniversary. Thank you for that friendship, and thank you for being who you are. Merry Christmas to you and yours my friend.
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