A time for endings.
Mabon, Autumn Equinox,
Second Harvest's past.
Dying into winter.
Summer sun spun spring's grass to gold.
Poison oak flares red.
Garry's uncle lays
dying in the hospital.
Cancer. A coma.
His beloved friends
and family gather by
his bedside death watch.
He waits for release.
His life become a burden
too heavy to bear.
We wait. I braid wreaths
to burn in the Samhain fire
for loved ones now gone.
Let go, Uncle Walt.
We will set a place for you
at our Samhain feast.
You are not alone.
All of nature follows you
westward to the Sun.
Lay down your burdens.
We will carry them for you
A little longer.
The time of dying.
The end of all mortal coils.
A maple leaf falls.
Copyright © 26 September 1996 by
Heather Madrone. All rights reserved.