Watchers at the Pond (Conclusion).

Franklin Russell. New York: Time Incorporated. 1961.

Why read it? Describes the changes in the pond during the cycle of the seasons.

Sample quotes and ideas:

“The forest, cleansed of its old and sick, preserved an ordered and stately aspect, which was a perfect expression of life amid continuous death. p. 225.

“On gusty days…the ducks banked against the marsh wind and made their approaches over the western end of the pond, precise and graceful, coming in very fast and rocking in a gust of wind, then suddenly beating back, dropping their legs, and hissing into the water in one smooth motion.” p. 227.

“In the final cycle of the year, ineffable melancholy, created by the contrast between life and lifelessness, spread over the pond.” p. 232.

“Dead nests straggled in their branches as silent manifestants of a surge of life now gone forever.” p. 232.

“The pond had burst open like an expansive blossom and had seeded and died and was now settling and rotting back into itself.” p. 232.

“Many stars were starkly white now, shining instead of twinkling, and they sparkled in the cold water.” p. 234.

“A wind came over the deepening ice, so cold it drove most living things into hiding.” p. 240.

Next: Walden.