The Letting Go

The Letting Go

O, tree of autumn,
you capture my attention
with your strength and beauty.

I have noticed you from afar
and gaze deeply into the manifold witness
you proclaim through your majestic colors.

How do you stand so tall and graceful
enfolded by the splendor of God’s mysterious Creation?

Are you confident in the beauty that you exude
or do you stand with humble roots of wisdom
knowing the change that is to come?

The journey of your transformation goes unnoticed
until the brilliance that surrounded you is all but gone
and only a few leaves of your glory remain.

As each leaf fell to the ground, was it hard to let go?
Was it a solemn release of all you held dear
or did Grace move you to trust the guiding hands of your Creator?

I see the barrenness that awaits you,
for it is in your transformation that barrenness can’t be avoided.

Remind me of the courage it takes
to persevere through the barrenness of winter.
Remind me of the new creation that awaits in the letting go.

Carson Overstreet
October 2009