Autumn Psalm of Fearlessness

As most of you know this is my favourite time of the year. The earth is ablaze with the colours and beauty of creation. A season that reminds us of the cycle of life. We watch as the earth prepares for a winter rest and we know the promise the lies in the falling and the rising.

Today I share with you an Autumn Psalm taken from “Prayers for a Planetary Pilgrim, by Edward Hays

I am surrounded by a peaceful ebbing
as creation bows to the mystery of life;
all that grows and lives must give up life,
yet it does not really die.
As plants surrender their life,
bending, brown and wrinkled,
and yellow leaves of trees
float to my lawn like parachute troops,
they do so in a sea of serenity.

I hear no fearful cries from creation,
no screams of terror,
as death daily devours
once-green and growing life.
Peaceful and calm is autumn’s swan song,
for she understands
that hidden in winter’s death- grip
is spring’s openhanded
full-brimmed breath of life.

It is not a death rattle that sounds
over fields and backyard fences;
rather I hear a lullaby
softly swaying upon autumn wind.
Sleep in peace, all that lives;
slumber secure, all that is dying.
for in every fall there is a rise
whose sister’s name is spring.

As the Autumn wind blows may you be open to the song of life, of death, of life beyond death. May it be so.

Blessings
Valerie