The maple tree that night
Without wind or rain
Let go its leaves
Because its time had come.
Brown veined, spotted,
Like old hands, fluttering in blessing,
They fell upon my head
and shoulders, and then
Down to the quiet at my feet.
I stood, and stood
Until the tree was bare
and have told no one
But you that I was there.
-Eugene J. McCarthy
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2 comments:
Hey brother john, Having a rare school day free I have looked at your blog for the first time in a very long time. Saint Johns has been on our minds lately as we fondly think about the vibrant crimson displayed on the maple tree outside our apartment's door, the pumpkins made into jack-o-lanterns in the seminary dining room and the lovely walks through the woods and campus. I want to walk those paths again but life has shown me that is ok to savor the past while living in the present.
So SORRRY to read about your tooth. A toothache is perhaps the most debilitating pain there is.
Is the Collegeville station still croonin' the tunes? That is sure a fun and creatve outlet for your gang of musicians. The students LOVE seeing folks their parents' age enjoying making music.
What's new with you? Thinking of the MN winters does bring a chill to my bones. We're anticipating the Pres. elections with a knot in our stomachs.
It's dreary today and I'm putting off running my loop in favor of reconnecting with friends via the pc. It's a day of quiet luxury for me--being my myself for the day.
The kids are growing up. Josiah has a girlfriend and a job. We often have to walk that tightrope of freedom and responsibility with him these days. He's straining at the rope but we dare not let too much out. JanE likes her christian school for middle school. Kids are getting along and academically a lot more challenging than the ps. Daniel is playing the violin but had perferred the cello. He swears he's taking up the drums in 4th grade. I can see that happening. He has rhythm in his blood--drumming with chopsticks, or whatever on whatever. He will make our old age pleasant years!
peace and blessings, heb for the fam
hi heidi--good to see you here again
br john--
i remember hearing this poem read
at eugene mcarthy's memorial service at st johns
i was moved by it then
and am again now
thanks for posting it
i have on more than one occasion
thought of looking it up
now i don't have to
golden brown leaves are falling
from the oak trees here
fall is more subtle here
than in minnesota
but it does have its own distinctive
albeit subdued
colors
i played your song
coyote cowgirl conundrum
at our sunday jam yesterday
and passed along your greeting to them
they all wanted to know when
you would be back
i also played the viola quite a bit
long slow notes to accompany
the songs other people were playing
learning how to improvise
fumbling around
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