AUTUMN:
PEACE WITH THE EARTH

"Freely have ye received:
freely give."
Ancient wisdom, shallowly read.
Bees in mint and borage,
squash and apples heaped in rows
abundant dance of autumn ripeness,
seasonal exchange.
Giving light for light
my heart bursts with tears of joy
as this mountain explodes with colors of revelations:
scarlet and gold, orange and bronze,
salmon and emerald;
shadowed by drifting billow white and gray
harmony of pearl.
Oh patient lovely lady,
the wonder itself is gift!
My time is lost in this blessing
until, gift,
I am offered in my turn
the final exchange --
Oh, to be earth and clothed in such glory!


Utah 1983
M. Reynolds