...the wonders of Autumn aren't displayed in the ocher, saffron, rust, and mustard of leaves, but in fields of white. True, it isn't a rice paddy on the margin of a floating Thai market abloom with white lotus, but it is beautiful in a iconic American South sort of way, don't you think? It's so beautiful I almost swerved off the road looking at this nearly ripe field yesterday!
There are fields of green pods with hesitant white puffs peeking out, and fields breathing soft white clovers. In "Birches", Frost compares ice-cycles on the trees to "the inner dome of Heaven" having fallen. Cotton is similar in its heavenly glisten in the morning dew, but to me, the cotton field next door to our house more resembles lazy clouds that dropped to earth and whose little bits wanted to be by themselves for awhile.
In this part of the American South, Autumn is symbolized with ripe cotton, and it is everywhere right now.
The boys love to pick the puffs that fall out of the ball before the tractor scoops them up. We talk about how soft it is, to be careful of the sharp seeds inside, and how cotton makes our clothes, blankets, and favorite teddy bears.
Sunflower loved it at first touch too! And no, I haven't missed the allusion and irony of gently lifting a child out of tragedy in Africa, and bringing her to fields of cotton in the American South. But how HOPEFUL, how representative it is of human progress, how tear-jerkingly promising it is that this African baby girl can grow to walk into an American cotton field, savor its beauty and soft grace, walk out of that field, and live free to dance and thrive and be herself in this amazing country. All she knows, and all she will know for many years, is that cotton is soft and beautiful, so let's hold on to it for awhile. It holds no ugly shadows of the past for her; it isn't a symbol to her of oppression, slavery, hate and segregation, so I let her joyfully have those moments with her something soft and beautiful that God made, and thank God that she has the opportunity to live them.
Happy Autumn!
7 comments:
That was about the most well-written thing I've ever read! Here in NEw England we don't have cotton like that. It is BEAUTIFUL! What a treasure to see sites like that everyday! Once again, perfectly said, Tiffany!
How beautiful!!! I have never seen anything like that! Good post, Tiff!! :)
Beautiful white cotton, Golden waves of wheat, tall stalks of corn. All wonderful things that I am so glad that sunflower and the boys can be a part of. I hope they are able to watch the farmers harvest that beautiful cotton. I think the boys would really enjoy that. Can't wait to see you next week. Kisses, Mom
i enjoy reading your blog because you often have profound things to share about being a mother to children of different cultural/racial/ethnic backgrounds. when i saw the cotton, i was interested to read on...
i am glad that you added that last paragraph in particular, because as an african-american, the vision of acres and acres of cotton does NOT fill me with a sense of peace, or admiration of God's beautifully made creation, no matter how hard i try. it's quite the contrary, actually.
in time, your children will become aware of the harsh reality of history revolving around cotton and other industry in the american south, but it's nice to have the innocence and joy now.
thank you for acknowleding the fact that the irony was not lost on you, either.
keep up the good work :)
Thank you so much for your perspective and loyal following of my blog, Nakia!
Not something we have in this part of Australia either. We have fields of wheat which in summer look just gorgeous.
So, i think the leaves are beautiful here in Michigan during this time of year, that cotton nearly takes my breath away! Thanks for the thoughts Tiffany! We did make a decision, and we honestly feel that there is another family out there for him. We made that decision about a week or so ago, and really havent looked back since, so that tells me that God has a plan for him! I know, I can't believe how slooooow their hair is coming in?! :) What the heck!!! Take care-love your blog!
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