Were my life four seasons of twenties
I would be in late Fall.
Spring and Summer past, so too the brilliance of leaf and coolness.
Only a few bright jewels remain quivering on their branches
knowing full well they await their last flight
of wind before gravity takes hold.
From here I can feel the chill of coming winter.
And I now see, with other limbs bare,
the evergreens standing sure and unmoved by the seasons’ ravages.
They have been there all along playing
a lesser role to oak and maple.
Providing scaffolding for all of nature’s
hoopla to dance and frolic.
Now they have their day…their deep values
fencing the path, marking the way.
I walk on. For I cannot go back.
Stopping to rest beside an evergreen
I admire its solidity, if prickly and severe.
I touch the bark, the needles, and I inhale something rich, resinous, comforting.
Surely in my winter, evergreens will guide with pointy fingers
and lay out a carpet soft for travel-weary feet.
Here in late autumn I can still feel the sun of summer’s day,
the blush of spring’s blooming.
It is all encompassed by memories of brilliant colors against a bright blue sky.
The hint of woodsmoke brings me to now, as I walk forward
into winter’s snowy embrace.
-jpe
A beautiful picture of life from the older side of 50 and even 60, which is where I am standing. It’s a picture that stirs up reflection, gratitude and hopeful anticipation for the deep winter years because God is good, just, faithful, merciful and gracious in all His dealings with us, at every stage of our lives.
Thank you Cheryl! Have a lovely day! -Jennifer
Wishing you a lovely day also.
What a lovely picture and such a wonderful poem. They touched my heart and inspired me today.
Thank you
~Gin K.~
Thank you so much for your kind comment! May your day be full of wonder and beauty! -Jennifer
♥♥
Jen. You are an amazing Proverbs 31 woman. A Creative, talented, thoughtful, caring , wonderful wife and mother , and God loving Chrisian. And you knit all those qualities together( just like your beautiful art work) into a living masterpiece. Love your poem as I too enter into the winter of my life. But during this season let us wrap up
and stay warm in Gods love and provision
and keep on keeping on!..Fran P.
Yes indeed! thank you Fran for your kind comments and comaraderie! Let us keep stitching with the threads of truth, knitting love and grace into our daily lives. Thank you. -Jennifer
And Fran…I have truly enjoyed viewing your artwork on your website! What wonderful textile, collage and painting works! So vibrant in color and rich in texture and detail. I wish you all the best in your creative pursuits! -Jennifer
Thanks so much. You have been a real inspiration to me for quite a while!
I have your book,Letters to an artist. So insightful!
We are building a house with an art studio
in Bastrop Tx. (40 miles east of Austin).
Plan to give workshops on “being creative”
offering encouragement for women to find
and enjoy their God given talents!
Maybe we should teach a workshop together someday! Blessings. Artfully. Fran
Thank you so much for sharing this with me. It is an encouragement to me. And I am so excited for your new home and studio! May God bless your efforts and the work of your hands as you seek to reflect Him in all you create and as you encourage others to do the same! Artfully yours, Jennifer