autumn – C & K

Vespers

Lost in the gloaming
we chant silent Vespers

waiting for the falling
Leaves of next Autumn

Too much sun,
not enough shade.

Flowers in bloom,
too many colours.

Too much light,
not enough darkness.

Birds sing and dance,
too many songs.

Too much Summer,
not enough Winter
to take my heart,
make it cold,
feel the chill,
the Autumn feel.

Winter tells the Woods, “The time has come for you to leave Autumn behind.”

The Woods hear Winter, yet Autumn still calls from far away.

The trees understand Autumn’s end and shed their sorry leaves.

Copper leaves;
Only a few left now.

Autumn lost;
Winter found the Woods.

Deciduous trees stand;
Silent fog breathes still.

Copper leaves fall;
Trees now stand bare.

We begin to slow in Autumn as the days shorten and the nights lengthen.

Salads turn to casseroles, and coffee turns to rum.

We find our cosy corner, a stack of books, and turn day after day into night.

When the rains come, we wear our favourite socks; we slow down.

Without a fuss, Autumn arrives
I feel a subtle change
I notice the softening
I wait for a year older
The moss will come for me soon

A mixed-up season
grey rain, and then scorching heat
Yet I long for Fall

The turning began
summer left us on our own
Shedding no sad tears
as grey turns to silver snow
Melting slow on our faces

After the joyous Spring
comes the ferocious Summer.

All fire and burning forests.

Yet Autumn will come for us,
and then the Winter.

All quiet, reflective and dark.

Walking with respect
for the trees feel the cool winds
Whispering winter