The Daily Boost #704

Walk on radiance

Enjoy this poem by Wendell Berry, as set to music by Malcolm Dalglish and sung by Moira Smiley.

The radiance of spring is falling down, as did the leaves of autumn, for us to walk upon.

SLOWLY, SLOWLY, THEY RETURN
Wendell Berry

Slowly, slowly, they return
To the small woodland let alone:
Great trees, outspreading and upright,
Apostles of the living light.

Patient as stars, they build in air
Tier after tier a timbered choir,
Stout beams upholding weightless grace
Of song, a blessing on this place.

They stand in waiting all around,
Uprisings of their native ground,
Downcomings of the distant light;
They are the advent they await.

Receiving sun and giving shade,
Their life’s a benefaction made,
And is a benediction said
Over the living and the dead.

In fall their brightened leaves, released,
Fly down the wind, and we are pleased
To walk on radiance, amazed.
O light come down to earth, be praised!

(My thanks to Wendell Berry, Malcolm Dalglish, Moira Smiley, and The Rhizome Quartet.)

The Gentle Nudge

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