Monday, October 12, 2015

Appalachian Autumn

No, I'm not as old as the hills
that rise around me as I rest
amid the tawny grasses of this
holler.  But here in late October
of my seventy-third year, they
feel like age-mates to me.  The
greens of spring and summer
are long-gone from the trees.
Leaves of crimson, burnt
umber and amber flare against
the darkening sky, defying
with beauty the soon-to-end
cycle of one more round of
life and love in this long-
time landscape of suffering.
The ancient earth takes it all in,
compassionate and indifferent
in the same breath.  This is how
I want to live, my failings and 
lost opportunities forgiven
as they are under this sun--
released in their triviality,
resurrected as new life--
en route to dying with
thanks and praise and no
mind-begotten regrets.

--Parker J. Palmer

[Photo of Wallingford, VT]


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