Gentle World

The gentle world 
whispered to me this morning 
as I gazed at the dawn  
opening 
across the lake. 

In its unassuming, 
kind voice 
it murmured - do not dread. 
For today - and maybe tomorrow too -
just deeply breathe 
and listen closely. 
There will be another time. 

Listen to how the seasons  
signal the coming 
stillness when the world will sleep 
and then begin anew. 
How the leaves in a final,  
graceful flutter 
are waving farewell 
for now. 
How they are giving in and  
silently falling 
to prepare a blanket. 

Giving in - not giving up. 
Preparing for a fallow time 
of reflection; 
doing their work of  
nurturing and protecting 
the sacred life 
that rests  
beneath the ground. 

As I gazed, 
I felt the gentle world rocking me  
in the flutter 
and falling of leaves. 
Cradling my fear  
in its timeless arms; 
waiting for the warmth 
of new sun and the easing 
of the earth -  
when it once again  
will open itself in trust, 
spreads its arms and whisper, 

"You are safe. It is now time for rebirth."

–Sheryl Pothier Harmer