Autumn Words

Today I read a lovely Luci Shaw poem about fall leaves and heard this song from Iron and Wine. It’s such a delight to discover new things - especially when you are sitting in a coffee shop by the window, sipping hot cider, and working on projects.

Stopping on a walk

by Luci Shaw

Under the umbrella of

a maple on our street, a tent of light.

A dazzle of yellow, each leaf a lens,

a magnifying glass catching light

in its hand. Each hand scattering what brightness

filters through it, blessing the sidewalk.

In the gutter, a thousand flecks of gold leaf,

arranged as if on purpose.

My own self awash with foliar shine,

to gather against the dimming of the year.

Autumn Town Leaves

In this autumn town where the leaves can fall
On either side of the garden wall
We laugh all night to keep the embers blowing
Some are leaping free from their moving cars
Stacking stones 'round their broken hearts
Waving down any wind that might come blowing
Ice move out when the field is cut
Serpents curl when the sun comes up
Songbirds only end up where they're going
Some get rain and some get snow
Some want love and some want gold
I just want to see you in the morning
Dogs lay down in the evening heat
Fish do worse when they leave the sea
Songbirds only end up where they're going
In this autumn town where the lights can change
Some get mercy and some get blamed
Some get lost when they feel the river flowing
It's all holy smoke and the flame dies fast
We hold our hats while the days fly past
Cold wind comes and we wait but it keeps going
Father, Sons and Holy Ghosts
All come back or they all come close
Songbirds only end up where they're going
Some get hard and some go home
Some want flesh and some want bone
I just want to see you in the morning
Yeah, I just want to see you in the morning