Pulling up in my driveway today in my car, I noticed the fall beauty of the front yard gardens. I meant to take a picture but forgot.

I am so grateful the sun remains strong each day, overcoming the shadow of death that covers me.

With these thoughts in mind I went to see my spiritual director today. He reminded me of a poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins a 19th century Jesuit poet. I had studied Hopkins when I was a young student but did not remember this poem, which puts together the falling fall and the dark death shadow I am experiencing. Hopkins has a way of using alliteration that takes some thought by the reader, but pays off with interest. Here is the poem that I was reminded about. If you are grieving over leaves leaving or the death of a loved one, the poem rings true.

Spring and Fall
to a young child

MÁRGARÉT, áre you gríeving
Over Goldengrove unleaving?
Leáves, líke the things of man, you
With your fresh thoughts care for, can you?
Áh! ás the heart grows older
It will come to such sights colder
By and by, nor spare a sigh
Though worlds of wanwood leafmeal lie;
And yet you wíll weep and know why.
Now no matter, child, the name:
Sórrow’s spríngs áre the same.
Nor mouth had, no nor mind, expressed
What heart heard of, ghost guessed:
It ís the blight man was born for,
It is Margaret you mourn for.

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