Ashram Visit

The backlit leaves translucent as the flowers

Shimmer above the shining silver lake.

Soon my days will shorten into hours

For the spirit's journey I must undertake,

Reluctantly depart the falling year

And the colour-burdened beauty that I love

For the hour of my soul draws near

And the call to consciousness towards which I move.

The birds alight to eat the ripened fruit

And a warbler spins his dreams of spring

In silver chords as from a silver lute.

Earth now fulfilled in multi-hued offering

Soon will sleep and late I will return

When wake once more the million buds of spring

As blossoms through the earthly carpet burn

And all the universe begins to sing

Of life's renewal. My soul shall celebrate

Its green renascence having lived again

The Ashram life among the yogic great,

The offered ones, holy without stain.