The Shaman of Autumn

( this was the first poem that was published commercially)

The shaman of autumn extends his staff

And touches the green leaves,

Transmuting them into gold and flame.

But all too soon they turn brittle and brown

For no glory in this world's realm

Is without price.

But even in their dissolution

They renew the land.

09/27/93

Comments: 16

manoj sanyal Sep 24, 2006, 1:24pm EDT

lovely ... worthy of publishing ..

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amanda wallin Sep 24, 2006, 1:31pm EDT

Excellent metaphorical commentary on the cycles of life. Beautiful!

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gautami tripathy Sep 24, 2006, 1:40pm EDT

Kind of a journey...

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Donald H. Sep 24, 2006, 2:52pm EDT

very nice......imagery is superb!

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Paul B. Sep 24, 2006, 4:41pm EDT

Very nice, Johm. I'm impressed.

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Carol Cassell Sep 24, 2006, 4:57pm EDT

You say it so beautifully because you are an artist. On the other hand, the scientist would only see dead leafs and compost.

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John L. Sep 24, 2006, 8:05pm EDT

beauty...in the eye and pen of the beholder....
nice peak colors....

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calujaro ~ Sep 24, 2006, 11:04pm EDT

I read your poem twice and it resonated so strongly with me because it reminded me of a poem I chose for my father's funeral leaflets and the poem is about the leaves returning to the ground as beautifully as they were taken up. It is such a beautiful poem and I always felt it described life so well and your poem made me feel that exact way. The second time I read through it and looked at the date for the first time, it was the exact date my father died. Strange moment.

Well done John.

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