Emplumada

One of my favorite poems, ever: "Emplumada" by Lorna Dee Cervantes:

"When summer ended
the leaves of snapdragons withered
taking their shrill-colored mouths with them.
They were still, so quiet. They were
violet where umber now is. She hated
and she hated to see
them go. Flowers..."

(click link to read on)

The Sun Lights Kukulkan at Chichén Itzá

Autumnal Equinox (today)

Mayan brilliance

Pyramid of Kukulkan at Chichén Itzá

"...The pyramid is unique among all known pyramids, worldwide, for its central role in a dramatic shadow and light display during the equinoxes. At the appointed hour, the setting sun casts a shadow of a serpent writhing down the northern steps of the pyramid. The sunlight bathes the western balustrade of the pyramid's main stairway and causes seven isosceles triangles to form, imitating the body of a serpent 37 yards long that creeps downwards until it joins the huge serpent's head carved in stone at the bottom of the stairway."

official last day of summer

This year's summer solstice began on June 20th. This year's fall equinox: Sept. 22nd.

...2008...
VERNAL EQUINOX.....(SPRING) MAR 20 2008 148 AM EDT - 0548 UTC

SUMMER SOLSTICE....(SUMMER) JUN 20 2008 759 PM EDT - 2359 UTC

AUTUMNAL EQUINOX...(FALL) SEP 22 2008 1144 AM EDT - 1544 UTC

WINTER SOLSTICE....(WINTER) DEC 21 2008 704 AM EST - 1204 UTC