Midsummer Night's Eve

From today's Writer's Almanac ...

Tonight is Midsummer Night's Eve, also called St. John's Eve. St. John is the patron saint of beekeepers. It's a time when the hives are full of honey. The full moon that occurs this month was called the Mead Moon, because honey was fermented to make mead. That's where the word "honeymoon" comes from, because it's also a time for lovers. An old Swedish proverb says, "Midsummer Night is not long but it sets many cradles rocking." Midsummer dew was said to have special healing powers. In Mexico, people decorate wells and fountains with flowers, candles, and paper garlands. They go out at midnight and bathe in the lakes and streams. Midsummer Eve is also known as Herb Evening. Legend says that this is the best night for gathering magical herbs. Supposedly, a special plant flowers only on this night, and the person who picks it can understand the language of the trees. Flowers were placed under a pillow with the hope of important dreams about future lovers.


And here's our beloved photographer's related poem ...

Exchange

Mirror over earth
reflects the sad trees
and rapid movements of smaller creatures.
The trees don't know
if it's worth it.
This exchange of carbon dioxide
for oxygen.
There's too much waste of the oxygen.
Maybe.
They talk about it
amongst themselves.
Redwood to Redwood.
Sycamore fig to Bo.
Cedar to Acacia.
Weeping Willow to Maple.
Black chestnut to Ginkgo.
Myrrh to Baobab.
Oak to Cherry.
All across the globe.
Sometimes they whisper
words of comfort or
pretend that they are the only
ones left on earth.
Most of them
though
are busy
planning their next move.

© 2006 k. smokey cormier