Dappled – marked with spots or rounded patches accordingly to Oxford Dictionary
I had to check this word out when I saw the Moonwashed Musings‘ prompt for this week and my first thought was about getting older.
The photo above is of one of my hostas in the backyard. I think it is beautiful the change of colours, the slow decay of the leaves with all their spots and edges turning inwards as if investing in self-care, saving the energy for the rough months ahead. It’s a different kind of joy when I look at the plants in the autumn compared with the joy in the spring, when the plants are coming alive, the edges going onward, showing off all the beauty and expectations for the new season.
Tea & Paper 
What a fantastic take on this prompt. I really appreciate your perspective here especially since Winter is my least favorite season. I am also looking to view the dark, cold months in new ways. In fact, that is what I wrote about today.
Your words were the perfect way to start my day. Thank you.
Ali
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Hi Ali, I’m so happy my post resonated with you! I know, winter isn’t an easy season, but we need to find joy in it.
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Yes, hostas put on quite a show as their leaves change. I have some in my front garden, too. Your post reminded me of a lovely British poem about dappled things:
Pied Beauty by Gerard Manley Hopkins
Glory be to God for dappled things –
For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;
For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;
Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings;
Landscape plotted and pieced – fold, fallow, and plough;
And all trades, their gear and tackle and trim.
All things counter, original, spare, strange;
Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)
With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;
He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change:
Praise him.
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This poem is beautiful, thanks so much for sharing it, Meg! 🙂
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This is lovely, Elizabeth. As nature gracefully prepares herself for oncoming seasons, I wish mankind would be more observant of the process. We can learn much from nature as reflected in your piece.
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Every day I try to learn a lesson from Nature. Thanks, Eugenia!
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Most welcome!
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This wonderful reflection shows we are all part of Mother Nature and she cares for all in a similar way.
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Yes, and Nature is a wonderful teacher!
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Lovely words to go with the picture!
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Elizabeth, this is a beautiful piece of writing. I like the idea of the “leaves turning inwards, as if investing in self-care…” ❤️
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I’m happy you liked it! 🙂
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