(poetry reflection)

O hushed October morning mild,
Begin the hours of this day slow.
Make the day seem to us less brief.
Hearts not averse to being beguiled,
Beguile us in the way you know.
Release one leaf at break of day;
At noon release another leaf;
One from our trees, one far away.
(Excerpt from “October”, Robert Frost)

I woke up one day this week with this poem on my mind. October is an inspiring month, which Frost beautifully articulates in his poem. As I read, an invitation into rest on this cold October morning is issued. I gathered up all my strength to meet the invitation with grace. Then, my mind was arrested with the phrase, “Hearts not averse to being beguiled, Beguile us in the way you know.”

There is a sacred hour before the house awakens with a fullness of stillness and silence. The warm glow of the burner heating up coffee, moves into a steaming cup held under blankets and cuddling a kitty. Time does not tick in those moments, oh no. The ghosts of the house come out and play a long-lost ballad on the piano. Those who were asleep, stay asleep. But those of us who rose while it was still dark get to encounter the enchantment of Lydia’s Haven on the soul.

Then the first leaf is released at break of day, and the enchantment is broken.

Just as Frost says, these days are beguiling, our hearts long to be in the space of stillness. I take the fullness of the morning into the day, hoping to recreate those moments of unearthly beauty. While I am unable to completely recreate the atmosphere, there are moments sprinkled throughout the day where I encounter that long-lost song, and my heart yearns for reunification, complete harmony beyond the hour in the morning.

The day continues on until, once again, a leaf falls as golden hour breaks into our home in all its glory and dusk settles in.

The brilliant colors of Autumn are beginning to fade into the dusty pastels of winter. The crisp chill in the air has us bundling up (and perhaps rethinking leaving the house). And the day ends as quietly as it began.

I love our October days.