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The tree stands bare, and the seed lies still in the Earth.
The tree is free of its burdens,
but its life-sustaining spirit remains.
I have seen the barren maple tree in January:
the leaves have left its limbs.
It stands bare and brittle now;
but deep within my soul I know
that deep within the Earth
its lifeblood pulses through its roots,
rejuvenating strength.
How like that maple tree are we
in certain seasons.
During this wintertide, as we go inward
toward the core of our beings—
diving deep toward our inner depths—
may this season call to us
to slow our pace and let things be;
let them unfold as they will.
May this winter of nature at rest remind us
to ease our crowded schedules (if just a little),
and perhaps, simply, sit and be
in the moment, for a moment;
focus on a snowflake or a raindrop or a leaf;
find our own image in the flickering of a candle flame;
or in the sound of our own name whispered in the breeze.
May this season of winter remind us and bring us peace
with those seasons in our lives when we must rest
in all our doing, and simply let things be.
As the Great Spirit turns the wheel of the seasons
for each of us, so may we also grow in wisdom.
As Mother Earth nourishes us with love and sustenance,
so may we return her holy offering
in our own gifts of love for one another,
and for all creatures of the Earth.
jbs
4/21/1996 - 1/4/2004
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