Protected by Copyscape Web Copyright Protection Software

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Blooming in the Gloom



Equinox

One wakens to find an autumnal gloom
has lowered the boom on summer.
The bright yellow days segue to grays,
and the loins that ran rampant grow still
Yes, autumn is crisp with colors in the mist,
with apples and pumpkins galore, but still –
And not the least of all are the colors of fall
and the riotous joy in the trees. But please
let the haze drift away and the sun
warm this day, and don’t let the winter
come soon. For one’s bones are brittle
and they ache a little, and one’s brain
doesn’t bloom in the gloom.

I wrote the Equinox poem last year, when we actually had autumnal gloom in September. Now it's November and each day has dawned sunny, clear and cool. I'm thinking of all of you who have spoken of the fallen leaves and the gathering mist of autumn, and this poem is dedicated to you.

The photos are of the forest at Patrick's Point on the far northern reaches of California. Even in that foggy place, brilliance grew.

I've learned this autumn that one's brain can indeed bloom in the gloom, if one's heart has courage and one's eyes are open to possibilities.

When I was hospitalized, I thought I would never find my way out of the black tunnel of despair. Then I met people worse off than myself, people in deeper miseries than mine, and with them I took a look at my various troubles. I remembered something I heard in a meeting:

If we put our lives, woes and all, in a paper sack and placed it on a table beside everyone else's sacks of troubles, we would gladly claim our own sack again.


Chris Alba © 2009

11 comments:

Tall Kay said...

There is so much wisdom and truth in that quote. Somehow I continue to forget just how good my life is and how much worse it could be (especially if I picked up a drink)! The pictures are gorgeous. Happy Sunday hugs to you!

Nessa said...

I love Autumn and the coming of Winter.

Sunny Sunday #5 - Paper Sol

Lou said...

Amen to my paper sack being stacked up next to other's! I'm grateful and blessed when you put it that way.

Anonymous said...

Your photos are captivating :) Thank you for stopping by to say hi.

Karen said...

I love the poem -- sound, rhyme, and meaning. I also love the quote in your last paragraph. I never thought about it, but I believe you're right!

Thanks for the pics and the thoughts, Chris.

Anonymous :) said...

I could always be worse. That's true enough. I'm not sure that makes me feel better about my sack. :)

One Prayer Girl said...

I have heard about that sack and have, after years in AA and Al-Anon, come to agree that I would rather keep my sack of stuff than deal with someone else's.

We are experiencing the barest beginnings of autumn. We're in the 80s rather than the 90s. Love it. Waiting for a little more, though. :)

PG

Rosaria Williams said...

Ah! What a wise sentiment. Love the last sentence!

Our November is sunnier than usual too.

Brian Miller said...

one's brain can indeed bloom in the gloom, if one's heart has courage and one's eyes are open to possibilities...those are great and true words. our trials prepare us as we help others with their own bags...and in helping our bags become lighter...

Scott M. Frey said...

I love the changing of the seasons in Ohio, but not the 6 months of grey depressing winter lol... thanks for reminding me that I need to make my own weather :-)

God Bless

Syd said...

My problems are slight compared to so many, yet to me they bring me pain. I've heard that I don't need to compare my pain with another's because to me mine is very real enough.