[todaysdate]
By Christi Ortiz
As I arise to the crisp morning air surrounding the earth
I see the sun scattered across the golden fields
Giving the illusion of warmth, though fall is surely upon us
Enveloping us in her cascading mantle
The harvest has poured herself out in unbounded generosity
we relish her gratuitous self gifts that nurture our sustenance
as if exhausted from the complete surrender, like a woman after birth
she lays sprawling upon the ground, her fruit laid bare
The changing season calls us now to rest
to gather in our resources as we burrow in,
to the warmth within, as the cold begins to descend
calling us to the new vocation that hibernation brings
The earth once teaming with new life of green, indigo, and pink
responds to natures call to begin the kairos of repose
She surrenders to this urge and lets her hair fall down
in golden shades of red, orange, and yellow as the leaves dance upon the ground
Nature puts up no resistance to this time of change and death
It lets go with the grace of wisdom, knowing Spring will come again
There are fruits that have not yet ripened
yet they are part of the offering that will give life to next year’s harvest
The plants do not resist the declining process
for they know the circle of life
Their decomposition will aid the next generation
and enable their healthy growth
The leaves once so vital to their need for food and ability to bare fruit
are now discarded with the ease of the breeze blowing through them
for they are no longer needed for the days ahead
They concentrate now on sealing in the vitality within for the journey to come
There is no falling into despair at what might appear as barrenness
For there is faith and understanding of what happens deep within
has infinite meaning that transcends external manifestations
and thus she relishes the coming change with gratitude
This menopause, these months of pause, are enjoyed
as the rewards given after months of labor and productivity
as she sips in the aroma of the fruit that surrounds her
and allows its warmth to nourish her weary soul
The beauty of summer with all its vitality and vibrancy
gives way to a new beauty that swirls through the trees
the rainbow of colors painted through the forested horizon
the diversity of gifts given, shared, and surrender as easily as they were received.
Come Autumn, come.
We welcome you with open, weary arms
Ready for the rest you bring
ready to surrender what you gently wisp away.
