Golden Rain Trees

In gratitude for Theodore Roethke

“Light takes the tree” Roethke wrote—

This morning tallow and palm awakened,

rose gold;

One small yellow leaf fluttered past my window.

All over New Orleans, this October Day,

Golden Rain Trees—Bouquets of Light!

In seemingly endless storm, anguish, terror

Nature does have “another thing to do”

Teaching us, slow winding step, by slow winding step,

Glimpse of gold, by glimpse of gold,

Where we have to go.

Sr. Beth Fitzpatrick is a Carmelite sister whose life has been shaped by the beauty of God’s world and a love for poetry.