November Elegy

NOVEMBER ELEGY The trees stand calm and tranquil in repose Rehearsing now the waiting that’s ahead ‘til breaths of air unloose their amber clothes To drift in swirling fall to woodland bed They rage not, but embrace the pass of light As they go gentle into that good night An air of waiting holds the spirit still No urgency to make the final shedding Though next life-phase is sanctioned with a will As tawny blanket spreads new forest bedding They’ll rage not at the passing of the light As gently they go into that good night As winter sleep brings time to rest and heal Perchance to dream of sunlit summer days When clothed in deepest green they saw the field Of life prolific lived in all its ways No thought of darkness, relishing the light Long days of wakeful life, no fear of night Perhaps the trees teach lessons to remember Of life repeating cycles brief and long Our seasons’ move to end - our dark December That shall precede Spring rebirth new and strong Why rage against the dying of the light Time to sleep and dream in that good gentle night