Wind-Chaser

A poem for the end of summer and the beginning of autumn.

Beneath the autumn leaves,
in the soft light of the fading sun,
I see the Wind-Chaser passing through the wheat fields.

The Wind-Chaser shuts his eyes
and lets the wind wash over him.
He is renewed by fire and renews the world with change.

A cantor has lit a lantern in
the clouds that has set the heavens
alight with orange and red.

The songs of joy and peace
can be heard as the celestial choir
calls the assembly to the nightly feast.

When the celestial light is lit,
The Wind-Chaser sets off to
call all souls, all spirits, to the feasting and gladness.

He is Death’s messenger and
calls forth Autumn from her rest, and tells the
earth to fast, for Persephone has left the world of light.

Autumn takes the Wind-Chaser’s
hand as he leads her to the bridal chamber;
it is their joining that drives the feast into the night.

As they shudder in conclusion,
there is a shout, a cry, from them both. The wind rushes,
and the feasting calms and filters off into the night.