January 24, 2019
Eureka, California
This poem was inspired by a song of the same title, Autumn Gold, by David Tolk from his album, In Reverence.
Autumn Gold,
Oh, give me Autumn Gold.
I’m worn out to Spring
With her thrill and over excitement–
Her hustle and bustle
Of new growing things.
Then, the Summer’s been drawn out too,
The heat of those days
Bore down on my soul
Like heat baking bricks in an oven.
My heart has baked,
Whether solid and sturdy
Or burned black and cracked,
No good or useful,
I no longer care.
Just give me the warmth of autumn leaves,
The cool of autumn air.
Rest, from the heat and fanfare.
Spring’s had her day
And Summer too.
Right now I wish fall would last
All year through.
My heart’s worn out
With younger years
Of toil and strife.
The hard work’s been done.
My body and soul,
Weary and tired
To the innermost cell.
Give me the rest of autumn–
Quiet repose,
Meditative walks,
The smell of the leaves
Breaking down into soil;
The earth preparing
For the quiet swell of winter.
Oh happy solace!
Quiet! From life’s noisy day!
Oh my heart aches
For rest and repose.
None but those so weary
Can so well relax into those arms.
Those arms that hold you
‘Till the pain of Spring and Summer
Completes its trembling exit;
And each muscle so tightly strung
Upon ligaments and tendons
Finally relax into restful sleep,
A sleep only those who’ve worked
Past their heart’s breaking
Can know.
Rest,
Final rest.
Found only in Autumn Gold,
And mountain peaks
And quickly coming
Quiet Winter snow.
Oh, so tired.
My soul longs for solace,
For rest.
May I find it
In Autumn Gold.
Thoughts From A Mother's Heart 