Anthem

XIV.

When the air chills and the light dims,
Autumn flames, then falls–
All that glory ground into the winter wet earth
With other dead things–
Because in winter
Life lies beneath, devouring death,
Transforming all the rot and worthless things
To cradle life, holding it in trust
Until warmth and light return
And the earth breaks open, greens and flowers.
A shout of triumph,
An anthem of joy.

K. Ashby